Partnerships with Brighton Energy Coop

Large buildings are great for solar installations.

Brighton Energy Coop runs partnerships with industrial and commercial clients – our free solar installations provide you with cheap solar electricity – companies don’t pay anything.

In the current economic and political environment (see below), companies must look at their costs. Our low risk, 10-year business model of community-funded solar is proven – it’s solidity testament of fact we’ve continued to fund raise and install solar through the Coronavirus period. Our 600 member-investors agree. We host solar on 62 buildings in the area, providing them with clean, cheap power that saves them hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Brighton Energy Coop is a ten-year old solar co-operative headquartered in Brighton. We’ve planned, built, operate – and now own – £3m of solar assets on rooftops around the south. Our community-owned solar fleet is the largest in the south, we have a decade of modelling, funding, building and then operating large solar system with commercial and public sector clients.

BEC’s partners include Shoreham Port, Brighton and Hove City Council, Adur District Council, Refine Metals, Maidstone FC, University of Brighton – and fifteen schools. We have solar on museums, churches, halls of residences, sports centres, libraries and many commercial buildings . The model works particularly well with businesses that use a lot of electricity.

Environmental Issues are clearly on the government agenda. Major initiates have recently been launched around green initiatives, and 85% of local authorities – including Surrey CC and Crawley Borough Council – have declared climate emergencies.

Ours is a successful long-term co-operative model delivering ongoing a stream of new solar systems. Our average investment from members is 3000, paying a yearly 5% interest. Our most recent interest payment to members was in May. Their money goes into funding new solar systems – the latest in November 400kW across 3 buildings at Brighton’s Met College.

Our installation partner is Genfit, a years-built long-term relationship. We work closely with the Genfit team to tease out any technical issues; Genfit is itself a 15-year old solar installer, run by Dave. Trust and working relationships are important in delivering complex builds in short time frames – and to budget.