At Transition Stroud, we’re passionate about supporting clean energy projects that make a real difference in our communities. For years, we’ve celebrated great examples like Minchinhampton School’s solar installation —made possible by the fantastic local non-profit Gloucestershire Community Energy Co-op. And there’s more recent good news too: last year Big Solar installed a new, community-funded solar array on top of Stonehouse’s Coop, thanks to their partnership with the Midcounties Co-operative.
But we know there’s so much more potential out there!
This is why one of our most active affiliate groups, Stroud Area Community Energy Network (SACEN), has been working so hard over the past year to help local communities explore more ways to set up their own local energy projects. This group, run by a team of dedicated volunteers and local energy experts, supports communities, organisations and businesses to plan, raise funds for, and install clean energy projects locally.
What does community energy mean?
Community Energy projects are a way for communities to come together to generate or save energy – saving money and reducing pollution at the same time. Projects can cover a wide range of activities – some are focused on renewable electricity generation such as community owned solar panels, hydropower or wind turbines. Others are more about how we collectively make our homes energy efficient and reduce fuel poverty in the community.
SACEN has put together a slideshow to demonstrate the many benefits and aims of community energy projects, as well explain how they are funded and managed.
We’d also recommend taking a look at this handy Community Energy video from Power to Change – explaining how community energy projects go beyond individual organisational and domestic energy projects to transform and benefit entire communities.
What’s next?
SACEN run regular network meetings, public information events, and campaigns to help you understand how community energy works – and can put you in touch with local non profit partners to help you grow your own energy source. The group has also put together a range of new tools to help your community identify its own potential.
Want to find out more? Head to SACEN’s website together-we-power.org
Get involved
- Sign up as a SACEN Member for free – to get updates on SACEN trainings, events and peer support
- Have a rooftop in mind? Complete our rooftop solar enquiry form so we can help work out what might be possible