Community Energy - A way for local people to come together to produce, manage, or use energy in a way that benefits their community. Examples include installing solar panels on schools or setting up wind turbines to generate electricity.

Renewable Energy - Energy that comes from natural sources that don’t run out, like the sun (solar), wind, and water (hydro).

Community Benefit Society (CBS) - A type of not-for-profit organisation set up to run community energy projects. Any money made is reinvested into the community or used for social good, rather than personal profit.

Co-operative - A business or group owned and controlled by its members, who have a say in decisions and share in the benefits. In community energy, co-operatives can own renewable energy projects together.

Energy Co-op Membership - Joining a group as a member means you can vote on decisions, help shape projects, and sometimes receive benefits like training or a share of profits.

Community Shares - A way to raise money for a project. People invest money to support a project they believe in, becoming members of the co-op in return. They might get their money back later or receive small returns, but the main goal is to support the community.

Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) - A contract where a community energy group sells the electricity they produce (e.g., from solar panels) to a local organisation, such as a school or business – usually the site on which the project is based.

Energy Efficiency - Using less energy to do the same things, like switching to LED bulbs or insulating buildings to keep heat in during winter.

Local Electricity Bill - A proposed UK law that would make it easier for small-scale renewable energy groups to sell electricity directly to their local communities.

Net Zero - A target to balance the amount of greenhouse gases produced with the amount removed from the atmosphere, helping tackle climate change. Community energy projects often contribute by generating clean energy.

Kilowatt-Peak (kWp) - A measure of how much electricity a solar panel system can produce under perfect conditions. For example, a 5 kWp system generates more power than a 3 kWp system.

Grid Connection - The link between a renewable energy system (like solar panels) and the national electricity grid. This allows the energy generated to be used locally or sold to others.

Energy Audit - A check-up on how much energy a building uses and where savings could be made, like fixing drafts or upgrading appliances.

Energy Advice Workshops - Sessions where community members learn how to save energy, lower bills, or apply for grants to improve their homes.

Annual General Meeting (AGM) - A yearly meeting where members of a community energy group review progress, vote on decisions, and elect leaders.

Community Engagement - Activities that raise awareness of a project, get people involved, or gather their ideas and support, such as workshops, events, or flyers.

Social Impact - The positive changes a project brings to the local community, such as reducing energy bills, creating jobs, or helping the environment.