Share offer for solar panels green scheme

solar panel

A GROUP of ordinary Oldhamers are making the borough a greener place by installing solar panels on public buildings.

Tomorrow, at 2pm, Oldham Community Power will officially launch its second share offer at the NEON Hub, behind Hill Stores.

With 55 members, Oldham Community Power formed a community benefit society, which runs on the basis of one member one vote, rather like a modern co-operative society.

Since August, 2016, the group has installed solar panels on five schools and a community centre, generating 220 kW of electricity which is used on the sites to reduce bills and minimise environmental impact. This has made Oldham Community Power the largest community-owned electricity producer in Greater Manchester.

Oldham Community Power has the backing of Oldham Council, who as owner of the sites is providing leases to access the roofs of their buildings. Oldham Council has also provided a bridging loan to secure completion of this phase of the installations.

To make sure that the installations truly benefit Oldham residents, Oldham Community Power are now seeking more members to join them so that the renewable energy generated can be owned by the community.

Anyone can join by buying a minimum of £100 of shares, with members earning interest which is expected to average four per cent across the 20-year life of the project. If you want to do something substantial for the environment and become part of a community project, becoming a member is the ideal opportunity.

Members receive regular information on the progress of the project and information about energy saving, and all members become equal partners in Oldham Community Power, receiving a vote at general meetings to help shape the society's future activities.

You can get the share offer prospectus at Saturday's event or from www.oldhamcommunitypower.org.uk after this date.

Oldham Community Power will be hosting and attending several more events around Oldham throughout the share offer period to give everyone the chance to meet with directors.

If you would like them to visit your area, please email info@oldhamcommunitypower.org.uk with the district where you live, and they will try to organise an event near to you.