The first community-owned solar power in the Derbyshire Dales has been installed on the roof of Twiggs Stores in Matlock, thanks to a partnership between Derbyshire Dales Community Energy (DDCE) and the Big Solar Co-op. This is hoped to be the first of many renewable energy projects in the region that harness the potential of communities to power a sustainable future.
The Derbyshire Dales has a long-standing cultural connection to renewable energy thanks to its rich industrial heritage, when water mills in the Derwent Valley powered the production of high quality silk and other textiles. The installation on Twiggs represents an important next step in the Dales’ journey – recapturing a strong history of community and sustainable energy, with a modern twist.
The installation consists of 165 panels with a generating capacity of 59kW and will produce around 47,000 kWh per year -that is equivalent to meeting all the electricity needs of ~18 houses for a year!
Derbyshire Dales Community Energy and the Big Solar Co-op are united by their not-for-profit, community-driven ethos and their desire to ramp up clean energy generation in response to the climate emergency. As Steve Martin from DDCE said, working with Twiggs was a natural fit for them:
“We couldn’t ask for a better partner for our first project than Twiggs. They are an institution in Matlock: a family business genuinely connected with and supportive of the community. This project will support them as they support us – reducing their energy bills, and making a very real contribution to achieving Net Zero by 2050. It shows what is possible, and we look forward to working with more local businesses for our next projects.”
The Meyer Burger solar panels used were manufactured in Germany and meet the highest standards of ethical sourcing, and the installation was carried out by Smart Homes Electrical based in Tansley.
DDCE is an award-winning Community Benefit Society whose core purpose is to tackle the climate emergency and empower local people by developing community energy projects in the Derbyshire Dales. To deliver this project, they have partnered with the Big Solar Co-op, which is a pioneering not-for-profit organisation that installs, operates and maintains solar arrays on rooftops across the UK. This is funded through a rolling community share offer. The Big Solar Co-op is completely owned by members of the public, who either volunteer their time, invest, or both.
Jon Hallé, co-founder, Big Solar Co-op, said: “This is exactly the sort of project we created Big Solar Co-op for – committed and passionate local volunteers collaborating with others across the UK to get solar built in their backyard. There are a lot more suitable rooftops in the Derbyshire Dales.”
DDCE wants to build upon the legacy of renewable power in the district and enable more businesses to be self-sustaining in terms of their energy use. They are also currently seeking Board members and volunteers with skills in digital, communication, marketing, education and fundraising. If you are interested in hosting clean energy on your land or building, or if you would like to find out more about joining DDCE, please email Lucy Bird at DDCE. To be part of supporting more solar installations like this one through the Big Solar Co-op investment offer please visit the Big Solar Co-op website: https://bigsolar.coop/invest