Project Summary
A group of organisations located together on a site in Dartington are exploring how to implement and integrate solar generation across their buildings as well as potentially collaborating on a ‘clean’ community heating scheme. Their aim is to become a ‘lean, clean and green’ local community energy hub.
The project aims to:
- Reduce carbon emissions through local onsite generation of solar PV electricity and reduce heating carbon emissions by displacing existing use of natural gas
- Build resilience in communities through onsite clean power generation for site services and facilities
- Lower energy costs through implementing demand reduction measures and installing cost effective renewable energy supply solutions
Background
In June 2024 the Dartington Recreation Association began work to imagine what working together to generate local renewable energy at Meadowbrook could look like.
Our Role
Dartington Recreation Association (DRA) was awarded CEF Stage 1 (feasibility) grant funding of £39,534 by the South West Net Zero Hub.
Technology
Solar PV, heat network, heat pumps, EV charging with EV to grid (V2G)
- Potential carbon savings: 16.99798 tonnes CO2 per annum
- Potential energy creation: 82,096 kWh per annum
What Happened
The project explored the feasibility of creating an energy sharing network using multiple community buildings. The chosen system was a microgrid.
In 2025 the project was awarded a Green Impact Fund grant by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for ‘green’ solar PV panels and batteries on a community pavilion.
Results
- Development of a community energy sustainability plan for the Meadowbrook site
- Good community engagement and participation levels achieved through events and survey response
- Local energy conversations helped reduce costs and carbon impacts for the buildings and inspired educational participation with local clean power
- One school has seen a significant reduction in consumption through energy advice.
Potential community benefits
- Reduced carbon emissions and impact from energy use
- Increased energy security – on-site green power for site services and facilities
- Inspiring educational engagement – energy and environmental sustainability
- Demonstration of innovative integrated solutions to other community groups and schools
- Funding for local community facilities and services – rather than profits going elsewhere
- Lower energy costs from local community financed solutions.
Next Steps
Next steps to help move to a Stage 2 implementation award include the following:
- Further engage with the schools to better understand the possible financing, ownership, governance and legal arrangements for specific partners.
- Explore potential funding partnerships and opportunities available as much as we can to make maximum use of grant and innovation funding.
- The Hub has been able to provide further support for the project through the CSE Community Energy Go scheme. CSE has approved NZC Services to take the project’s CEF Stage 1 outputs and generate a business case and financial plan in preparation for a Stage 2 bid. This work is currently underway.
- Find out more on the Meadowbrook website