Imagine you want to go solar. You want to power your home with clean, renewable energy - but you can’t. Maybe because you’re renting, or your roof is unsuitable, or perhaps you simply just can’t afford the expense. The good news is that you can still join the solar revolution - through community solar projects! And many people are doing exactly that. Currently, the total installed capacity of community solar projects in the UK has reached an impressive 155 megawatts!1
So what is community solar?
The concept of community solar projects is simple. They’re solar installations that share the benefits of solar energy with multiple participants - these can be individuals, businesses, or organisations, who reside in the same geographic area.
One big difference is that rather than being installed solely on private roofs, community solar panels can be located on open land, large commercial or public rooftops, and can be installed in places like at schools, local businesses, and other community buildings.
The electricity produced by these solar installations is fed directly into the local utility grid. Community members can subscribe to a portion of this generated energy through a monthly subscription. The utility company then buys the electricity from the community project, and each member receives a credit on their individual utility bill, reflecting their share of the energy produced. This creates a beneficial cycle for all involved.
The benefits of community solar.
Community solar projects are a more collaborative approach to solar that comes with so many great benefits. Here are just some of the bright bonuses they bring:
Accessibility.
Solar community projects are such a great way to make solar energy available to those who may not be able to buy their own solar panels.
Many households and businesses are unable to host rooftop solar systems, because they don’t own their homes, have unsuitable roof conditions, or can't afford the upfront costs. By creating these projects we’re moving towards a more inclusive and distributed solar energy landscape.
Cost savings.
Subscribers to a community energy project receive energy credits (for their portion of the energy sold to the utility). To keep things simple, these energy credits are usually applied directly to the subscriber's existing utility bill.
Several factors can determine the amount subscribers save, including the size of their solar array share, the array's sunlight exposure, the structure of the community solar program, and the subscriber's personal electricity usage patterns.
Environmental impact.
Community energy projects cut emissions and boost sustainability by promoting solar power and energy sharing. They enable accessible affordable greener energy, leveraging existing buildings and generating local wealth.
The village of Sheriffhales is a great example of a community solar project. It’s a not-for-profit community benefit society that’s governed by local volunteers, owned by its members, and operated to benefit the community. The village's 3.2MW solar farm generates enough renewable electricity to power 825 homes each year.2
No upfront investment.
Community solar projects minimise individual financial outlay by distributing the cost of solar installations across numerous subscribers. Instead of each individual household bearing the full expense of a rooftop system, participants in a community project pay for a portion of a larger, shared array.
This model reduces upfront costs, eliminates the need for individual maintenance, and bypasses the complexities of home installation.
Flexibility.
Community solar brings flexible, accessible solar energy through its subscription model. Unlike home systems, subscriptions are portable, meaning subscribers can move homes without losing access to solar power. This model effectively democratises clean energy, making it available regardless of property ownership or location.
Support for local economies.
Community solar empowers local economies by creating jobs, supporting businesses, encouraging investment, and generating revenue for community projects. Local groups develop projects, offering shareholder opportunities, and can reinvest any surplus funds into other initiatives like EV charging. This community wealth building model, unlike traditional corporate energy systems, localises the benefits.
Community members can invest in the scheme as shareholders and see returns (typically at around 5% per year)1, while communities gain from both financial and environmental advancements. It’s a win-win approach to sustainable community development.
The future of community solar.
The number of community solar projects in the UK has significantly grown in recent years. In February 2025, eight solar projects with a collective capacity of 35MWp were transferred to community ownership, marking the largest such transfer in UK history. This transfer has increased the community solar capacity in England and Wales by one-fifth and is expected to provide over £20 million in community benefit funding from surplus revenues.3
This growth aligns with the UK government's ambitious target of achieving 45-47GW of solar generation capacity by 2030.4
Solar: The bigger, brighter picture.
The success of community solar projects in the UK highlights our nation’s potential in harnessing solar energy to help us hit our sustainability goals. If the UK is to achieve its Net Zero target by 2050 (reducing our net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 100% compared to 1990 levels)5 then solar clearly has a big role to play. Whether it be residential, community, or commercial, it’s exciting to think that solar is now becoming open to everyone.
Find out more about community solar.
If you are interested in joining a community solar project, here’s some key ways you can explore things further:
Community Energy England.
This is a national organisation that supports and represents community energy groups. Their website is a valuable resource for finding information on existing projects and groups in your area. They often provide guidance and resources on how to get involved.6
Local community groups.
Many local communities have their own energy groups that are developing or operating solar projects. Searching online for "community energy groups" plus your local area, will help you find these groups.
Online platforms and maps.
Resources like the ‘Community Energy London Potential Map’7 provide data on potential and existing community solar projects, especially in the London area. These types of online tools should soon be available for other regions as well.
Organisations involved in solar installations.
There are many companies that specialise in solar installations, particularly those with a focus on community projects. You can reach out to companies like these for information on opportunities to get involved.
Local councils and authorities.
Local councils are becoming increasingly involved in sustainability initiatives, and they will have any information on community solar projects in their area.
Learn more about residential solar.
With solar power becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, it’s no wonder the number of homes in the UK with rooftop solar panels has skyrocketed in the past 15 years. According to government data, as of 25 January 2025, 1.49 million homes in the UK have solar panels installed.8
If your circumstances allow and you have suitable conditions, you may be interested in exploring the idea of installing solar at your property. We’ve made solar simple, easy, and affordable. And there’s so many great benefits.
Going solar with us:
It’s cheaper than you think.
We can supply you with solar panels for your home from just £4,995.9 And we’ve made paying for them easy. If you prefer not to pay for your new solar panels all at once, we have flexible payment options too.
Could save you money.
With solar you could make long term savings. A typical 12-panel solar system with a battery and the right tariff could save you up to £1,269 a year on electricity bills.10 With our Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff, you can even get paid for exporting excess solar energy back to the grid.11 T&Cs apply.
Gives you greater energy independence.
By generating your own electricity, you reduce reliance on the grid and gain greater control over your energy costs. If you get solar batteries, you can store the solar power you generate to power your home, even at night, giving you even more energy independence.12
Could lower carbon footprint.
Solar panels are a renewable, low carbon source of electricity - helping you to reduce the carbon footprint of your home energy. In fact, the average home would save around a tonne of carbon every year by installing solar panels (exact savings vary by location).13
Could increase your property value.
Homes with solar panels may also be more attractive to prospective homebuyers and solar panels can increase the value of an average home by as much as £30,000.14
Comes with expert installation.
All of our solar installations are carried out by expert MCS accredited installers. We are an MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accredited solar panel installer, so you can be sure that your solar installation will be fitted to the highest standard.
Solar and beyond!
Inspired by solar? Interested in EV charging? Curious about heat pumps? We're working hard to make new energy work for everyone. So why not explore all the other fantastic options we have available. From smart home energy tech to innovative energy tariffs, we're here to help you make sustainable choices that fit your lifestyle.