Derbyshire Dales Community Energy
The Story
Derbyshire Dales Community Energy (DDCE) constituted itself back in February 2021 to start looking at how the community could develop roof-mounted solar PV systems. We started work with Matlock Town Council to bid for RCEF phase 1 funding for a feasibility study.
The council employed a consortium led by Pure Leapfrog to provide the technical expertise to carry out the feasibility study, which was completed in January 2022. DDCE registered as a community benefit company in January 2022.
They bid for RCEF Phase 2 funding to bring a portfolio of roof-mounted solar PV systems to the point that they are funded and ready to be installed. They have appointed Sharenergy to carry out this work and issued a share offer to raise the installation funds.
Challenges and risks
The challenge was to find suitable sites where the building occupier uses enough of the energy generated during the day, to receive a reasonable price for the electricity generated.
