Two community buildings in Chesterfield have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint, as well as their energy costs by installing solar panels on their roofs.
Loundsley Green Community Trust and the Cosy Hub in Grangewood are hoping to redirect savings from their energy costs to their community programmes, whilst at the same time reducing their carbon footprint.
The installation was thanks to funding secured from Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Grants Fund scheme.
Loundsley Green Community Trust received £19,035 for solar panels at Loundsley Green Community Centre, and the Cosy Hub received £15,240 to help them to generate clean, renewable electricity throughout the year.
The solar panels will improve energy efficiency and create a warmer, more sustainable environment for residents who use the building and its services.
The installation of the solar panels, forms part of the council’s ongoing commitment to tackling climate change and supporting local organisations to become more energy efficient. The move also contributes to the wider ambition for the borough to reduce carbon emissions and promote greener ways of living and working.
Councillor Martin Stone, cabinet member for climate change, planning, and environment said: “I’m delighted that the two community buildings have decided to take this positive environmental action and install solar panels.
“I understand that the panels are already making a positive difference for the organisations, with both buildings operating more efficiently and sustainably.
“Supporting community projects such as these is allowing us to help to create a greener community, that relies less on fossil fuels, taking practical steps against climate change.
“These solar panel installations are just one example of how our Community Grants Fund scheme is helping local organisations make a difference. The scheme has helped over 100 projects in total and supports a number of initiatives that will reduce the borough’s impact on the climate and wider environment by promoting greener choices.”
36 climate-related projects were allocated funding through the community grant scheme totalling over £172,000.
Ian Birchmore, chair of Loundsley Green Community Trust, said: “Energy costs are one of our biggest overheads at Loundsley Green Community Centre and The Green Enterprise Centre. In addition to that, we are very conscious of the environmental impact that a large building like ours has in terms of its energy consumption.
“We had been considering fitting solar panels for some time, but the upfront capital cost was prohibitive. When grant funding came available to help with this, however, it enabled us to press ahead with our plans. The grant contributed two thirds toward the cost of the project. We still had a sizeable investment from our own funds to make but agreed that it was a sensible investment.
“Installation was completed in December, and we have been able to watch the benefits through an online app. Even in these winter months we have watched long periods where the consumption of electricity from the grid has been zero – in those periods we have been generating all our needs.
“This is going to be a huge benefit to us, the local community and to the environment going forwards”.
Danny Henman, CEO Community Development Chesterfield said: “As representatives of our community space, we’re incredibly grateful to see solar panels installed on our Cosy Hub. This investment in our space is already making a real and positive difference to our running costs. We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you, as the savings on our energy bills are allowing us to heat our space more affordably and keep our doors open more often for the people who rely on us.
“Also, by reducing our overheads we can free up vital funds that can be put straight back into our community by supporting future sessions, improving our equipment and expanding the activities we can offer. This project is not just about energy and saving money it’s about strengthening our hub and creating more opportunities for everyone who comes through our doors.”
Since the Community Grants Fund scheme launched in 2023, more than £500,000 in grant funding has been awarded to community groups and voluntary organisations across Chesterfield.
The aim of the scheme was to help community groups and voluntary organisations from across Chesterfield to deliver key projects that have a positive impact on local communities.
Find out more about the scheme on our community grants fund page.
Funding for Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Grants Scheme has been successfully secured from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), together with money raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Portion (CIL).