In 2024, the UK reached a significant milestone. Half of its electricity, 50.8%, came from renewable sources, with solar power contributing a record-breaking 14.8 terawatt-hours. What’s even more inspiring is that this progress isn’t just about large-scale solar farms. Across the country, communities are coming together to invest in solar energy, creating a shared mission for sustainability and energy independence.
From rural villages to busy cities, community solar projects are helping residents lower energy bills, reduce emissions, and take charge of their power generation. Let’s look at some of the most impressive initiatives driving this solar revolution.
Westmill Solar Co-operative (Oxfordshire)
The Westmill Solar Co-operative is one of the UK’s most successful community-owned solar projects. With over 1,500 members from Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, it operates 20,000 polycrystalline solar panels on 30 acres.
Generating about 4.8 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually, the solar park provides enough electricity to power roughly 1,600 homes while offsetting over 2,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year. The co-operative also funds local green projects, donating over £41,000 to community causes in March 2025 alone.
This initiative shows how collective ownership can turn clean energy into shared profits, whether through large installations or smaller setups like solar panels for sheds or solar kits for local use.
Brighton Energy Co-operative (Brighton)
The Brighton Energy Co-operative (BEC) was founded in 2010 to make renewable energy accessible to everyone. By offering fully funded solar panel installations for local businesses, schools, and residential buildings, the BEC allows property owners to host solar arrays without upfront costs.
Members invest between £300 and £100,000 and earn returns while helping grow solar power throughout Brighton. These systems come in various solar panel sizes and are often custom-fit with solar panel mounting and roof mounts to work with both flat and slate roofs.
For those interested in smaller setups, similar systems, like solar panel kits with batteries and inverters or solar panels for sheds, can help reduce grid reliance at home.
Low Carbon Hub (Oxfordshire)
Another powerful community success story is the Low Carbon Hub. Since 2011, it has built an impressive portfolio of renewable installations, from rooftop solar on schools and small businesses to hydroelectric schemes and large ground-mounted solar farms.
The Ray Valley Solar project, the largest community-owned ground-mounted solar park in the UK, shows how collective ownership can scale solar power generation. Profits are reinvested into further community energy projects and education.
The hub also raises awareness about topics such as solar panel grants in the UK, solar panel costs, solar inverters, and maintenance essentials like solar panel servicing, ensuring long-term efficiency and public understanding of solar systems.
Lynmouth Road Solar Project (Walthamstow, London)
The “POWER STATION” project turned the rooftops of North East London into an art installation. Created by local artists Dan Edelstyn and Hilary Powell, it gathered neighbors to install solar panels through crowdfunding and community effort.
Raising over £113,000, the initiative provided solar installations for 30 households, showing that even creative collaboration can spark lasting environmental change.
The project also spread awareness of solar technologies like solar panels in conservation areas, bird protection for solar panels, and solar bird guards, which are important in dense urban settings.
Eight Solar Farms Transferred to Community Ownership
In January 2024, a remarkable event in UK solar history occurred when eight solar farms across England and Wales were transferred into community ownership.
Organized by Community Energy Together (CET), a partnership of Wight Community Energy, Gower Power, Kent Community Energy, Shropshire and Telford Community Energy, and Yealm Community Energy, the transfer totaled 35 megawatts peak (MWp) of capacity.
This move increased community solar capacity by one-fifth, reinforcing the idea that shared solar energy is a viable path to combat fuel poverty and achieve energy independence.
Why Community Solar Matters
Community solar projects show that renewable energy is for everyone, not just corporations or governments. Whether through a cooperative solar farm or solar panels for shed power, these initiatives prove that working together can bring about real change.
From understanding solar panel sizes and options to deciding between series and parallel wiring, individuals and groups can tailor systems to meet their specific energy goals.
For those considering solar for personal use, it’s worth looking into solar panel kits with batteries, solar chargers, or solar battery kits to power tools, lights, or even solar-powered sheds and house signs.
While there are some downsides to solar panels, like initial setup costs and space needs, community-driven models and solar panel grants in the UK continue to make clean energy more affordable and accessible.
Join the Solar Movement with SolarDreams
Feeling inspired by these community efforts? SolarDreams helps UK homeowners embrace solar energy confidently and efficiently. Whether you’re looking at solar panels for a flat roof, lightweight solar panels, or panels for a garage roof, expert installers can guide you to find the best fit for your home.
By combining solar panels, batteries, and the right installation kit, you can reduce your energy bills, increase your property value, and contribute to a sustainable future.
It’s time to power your community and your home with SolarDreams.
