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Community Energy Roadmap
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Discovery Phase
Development Phase
Project Planning Phase
Funding Phase
Construction Phase
Post-Build Phase
Post-Build Phase
Post-Build Phase
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Post-Build Phase
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Post-Build Phase
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Ongoing maintenance
- It’s important to set up a maintenance schedule for the sites in conjunction with the installer/whoever will be responsible for repairs. Establish regular inspections and servicing for solar panels, wind turbines, or other renewable assets.
- This may well be the installer, but if not, you should appoint an Operations & Maintenance (O&M) provider, a reliable provider to handle repairs, monitoring, and emergency call-outs.
- Again this could be included with the installer contract, but you can use software to track energy generation, detect faults, and optimise efficiency.
- Develop a response plan for breakdowns or performance issues to minimise downtime.
- Most importantly, engage with your group’s volunteers or local workforce to keep people interested. If feasible, train community members to support basic maintenance tasks.
Partnership with sites
- It’s super important to maintain good relationships with the host sites. Keep open communication with landowners, schools, businesses, or public buildings hosting the project.
- Ensure host sites receive expected cost savings and that contractual terms are met. The project could last for 15 years or more – you want to start on the right foot with payments!
- You could offer further support to sites with Energy Efficiency Advice, or run an audit such as looking at getting their lighting switched to LEDs. Providing guidance on reducing overall energy consumption will also produce a ripple effect and allow the site’s users to improve the energy efficiency of their own homes.
- As your PPA contracts approach renewal, reassess terms to reflect changing energy prices and site needs.
Using surplus for community benefit
- As well as creating community benefit, if applicable, your project will aim to pay interest or dividends as per the share offer terms. Investors will also become voting members of your group, so it’s important to keep members informed and involved in decision-making.
- Set up participatory budgeting or consultations to decide how surplus funds are allocated, usually approved by the members at your Annual General Meetings (AGMs).
- Some groups offer educational & training opportunities, and use funds for workshops, internships, or scholarships in renewable energy and sustainability.
- You may want to consider expanding the initiative by developing new energy projects or increasing local renewable capacity.
- Sharing is caring! Provide annual updates on how surplus funds have benefited the community to maintain engagement and trust. These can often get picked up in local media and on social media too.