LOCAL GROUPS CONFERENCE

2012

EARTHMOVERSPRESENTATION

Fran, Cher, Hilary, Mike, Rob and John at recent group meeting

Wey Valley Solar SchoolsEnergy Co-operative

Logo designed by Ruth Ewing, a Godalming 6th

Form College student

County School, Guildford during construction

GODALMING, 16 SEPTEMBER 2011 LOCAL MP ATTENDS THE LAUNCH

“this is going to be a particular delight to Chris Huhne, the climate change secretary

The Wey Valley Solar share offer

Rodborough School, Science Block

Rodborough School, Main Hall

Godalming 6th Form College

Broadwater School

Broadwater School, main block

Some of the panels installed at Woolmer Hill School

Results ........

• Co-op members have invested nearly £625,000

• Solar arrays on 6 state secondary schools with a combined total of 238kw

• To date the panels have generated 143,700 kWh of green electricity.

Investors

• A members co-operative rather than a bencom – every member has a vote

• Members should get a fair return of 5% per annum which will increase over time

• When the returns reach 6% any income over 6% will be split 50:50 with the schools

Benefits for Schools Schools get

• 50% of the electricity generated free of charge

• if they use more than 50% they get it at wholesale price

• educational benefits in the form of display screens, web links and data feeds which the co-op paid for

• schools are also members of the co-op and have invested nearly 14K so they get an income from their investments

“Run for the Sun” 23 June 2011

On 23 June 20111500 children from two schools took part in a “Run for the Sun” sponsored mini marathon so their schools could invest in the co-op – they raised nearly £10,000

The Waverley Council House solar arrays

Because not everybody in Surrey has a big house and lots of money ..........

Outcome........

Nearly 500 arrays installed

Tenants get free electricity, council gets a roof rent

It would have been 1500 arrays if it hadn’t been for the fast track FIT review

And now for a bit of biodiversity

Himalayan Balsam eradication project

- providing support to Surrey Wildlife

Trust

Hilary in ‘pulling’ mode

www.gwfoe.org.uk