Six Cumbrian communities are banding together to install solar panels on the roofs of their towns.
Cumbria Action for Sustainability is working with groups in Ambleside, Kendal, Levens, Arnside, the Duddon Valley and Keswick to help them cut energy bills and tackle climate change.
The organisation said: “Good solar photovoltaic installers are in huge demand right now, as everyone is searching for ways to cut their soaring energy bills. As a result, they’re finding it difficult to respond to enquiries for smaller jobs, especially in rural Cumbria. Homeowners and small business owners are missing out.
“Working with dedicated community groups and town and parish councils, we have found a solution to this problem.”
The process starts with an interactive map of the area, which models each rooftop in the community and estimates the amount of electricity that could be generated on it by solar panels. This map is then shared with the community to help people decide whether solar panels are right for them.
The result is a group of people, all in the same area, who have suitable roofs and are ready to go. This is a much more attractive proposition for installers, said CAfS.
Molly Hogg, CAfS low carbon communities programme manager, said: “We’re working with several PV installers on this programme, and they have all told us that this approach cuts out a lot of inefficiency and makes the small-scale solar PV market viable.”
Two installers will be introduced to each new community and the individual property owners will be free to choose whichever they prefer – at this point is it no different from seeking quotes independently.
The programme has been piloted in Ambleside, with two schemes already having been installed and several new orders in the pipeline.
Judy Fry, the first homeowner in Ambleside to have her panels installed, said: “We’ve been keen to install for five years, but we were completely afraid of putting our toe in the water. It was very reassuring to get our hands held and be pointed in the direction of good installers.”
During the summer, teams in Kendal, Levens, Arnside, the Duddon Valley and Keswick have been planning the roll out and are now keen to hear from any local residents or businesses who want to take part.
Councillor Helen Chaffey said: “CAfS is all about enabling people to address both the climate emergency and the cost-of-living crisis in their own homes through the Solar Made Easy programme. Arnside Parish Council is therefore delighted to partner with CAfS to explore these possibilities.”
Councillor Janet Battye said: “Here in Levens, there’s been a lot of activity for some time around climate change and biodiversity and increasing concern about energy use. More people are now getting interested in installing solar panels on their roofs, which CAfS’ Solar Made Easy scheme can help us with.”
The free support from CAfS is funded by South Lakeland District Council and Electricity North West’s Powering our Communities Fund.
