The document summarizes a local groups conference about a Wey Valley Solar Schools Energy Co-operative. It discusses that co-op members invested nearly £625,000 to install solar arrays on 6 schools generating over 143,700 kWh of electricity. The co-op provides schools with 50% free electricity from the solar panels and educational benefits while also providing a 5% annual return to investors. It describes community fundraising events that supported investing in the co-op and solar arrays installed on council housing.

1. LOCAL GROUPS
CONFERENCE
2012
EARTHMOVERS
PRESENTATION

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

3. Wey Valley Solar Schools
Energy Co-operative
Logo designed by
Ruth Ewing, a
Godalming 6th
Form College
student

4. County School, Guildford during
construction

5. GODALMING, 16 SEPTEMBER 2011
LOCAL MP ATTENDS THE LAUNCH

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

7. The Wey Valley Solar share offer

8. Rodborough School, Science Block

9. Rodborough School, Main Hall

10. Godalming 6th Form College

11. Broadwater School

12. Broadwater School, main block

13. Some of the panels installed at Woolmer Hill School

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. “Run for the Sun”
23 June 2011
On 23 June 2011
1500 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

20. The Waverley Council House solar
arrays
Because not everybody in Surrey has a
big house and lots of money ..........

22. 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

27. And now for a bit of biodiversity
Himalayan Balsam
eradication project
- providing support
to Surrey Wildlife
Trust

29. Hilary in ‘pulling’ mode

30. www.gwfoe.org.uk