Sussex Kelp Restoration Project with Sussex Wildlife Trust
- 3rd year (2024) of £10,000 grant (£30,000 in total)
Voluntary Action Arun & Chichester
- £25,000 grant 2024
- Solar PV – soft loan
- Cavity wall and loft insulation
The provision of significant local community benefits is central to Meadow Blue Energy’s vision. The society will contribute surplus income into the independently administered and dedicated Meadow Blue Community Benefit Fund. Over the 25-year life of the project, the Society will create a Community Benefit Fund. Annual contributions to the Community Benefit Fund may vary and will be at the discretion of the Society’s Board of Directors as they will be dependent on available cash flow following bank loan repayments and members’ interest payment commitments.
In 2021 the MBE Directors provided funds to support the Sussex Kelp Restoration Project to monitor growth of the Kelp forests, record biodiversity increases and track the socio-economic impacts of regenerating underwater habitats. The project will also share learnings with policy makers and educational organisations.
To find out more about the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project view their 2021-2022 Progress & Impact Report.
Henri Brocklebank of Sussex Wildlife Trust recorded a note of thanks for the Meadow Blue Shareholders AGM.
Currently the MBCE Directors provide prearranged educational visits to the Merston site, and have planted over 400 trees at the site.
They also attend events at schools (photo below) and take part in STEM events across Sussex to educate local school children about Science Technology Engineering & Math’s.
Meadow Blue Community Energy is excited to announce the availability of ‘Solar Soft Loans’ for community organisations and schools. Our aim is to help organisations that would not have the funds to do it themselves, to install solar panels, LED lighting and other energy saving measures.
With our Solar Soft Loans, you have full ownership of the system. The solar electricity generated and used on-site is free, reducing your electricity bills, and you earn income from selling surplus solar electricity to the grid. The repayment of the Solar Soft Loan is based on a share of the actual cost savings each year. If the savings are less than expected at the outset, the loan gets paid back slower, or may not get repaid in full. Meadow Blue Community Energy recirculates the repaid funds into a local low-carbon soft loan fund to help more schools and community buildings install their own solar panels.
Our Solar Soft Loans are a subsidised investment model. They are only available to schools and community organisations and we are only able to offer them as the source of funds is surplus income from our Solar Farm at Merston in West Sussex.
Are you part of a community group that could benefit from our support?
CONTACT US AT info@meadowblue-energy.org
How do Solar Soft Loans Work?
Solar Soft Loan Application
MBCE provides a Solar Soft Loan to school/community organisation to pay for a solar PV system. We can help with a feasibility assessment and procuring and managing installers if needed.
Ownership and Operation
School/community organisation owns system and is responsible for the maintenance costs. Solar electricity generated and used by the organisation is free, and reduces the amount of electricity the has to buy from a supplier.
Loan Repayments
Loan repayments are based on 50% of the actual annual savings. If the loan is not repaid after 20 years the outstanding balance will be written off.
Benefits and Savings
School/community organisation enjoys solar and reduced energy bills, with no upfront costs. Unlike ‘rent a roof’ schemes there is no complicated roof lease or commitment to a power purchase agreement.
Recouping Capital for Community Benefits
MBCE recoups capital over time to re-invest into a local low carbon soft loan fund to help other community buildings do the same.
Solar Soft Loans vs commercially-funded rooftop solar
