Talacre Community Sports Centre Goes Solar, Leading the Way in Community Renewable Energy
Talacre Community Sports Centre has made a bold move towards sustainability by embracing solar energy. We have recently installed 236 solar panels on our rooftop. This initiative aims to reduce the centre’s reliance on fossil fuel energy, lower carbon emissions, and promote a cleaner, greener future for the local community.
The decision to pursue solar power was made possible through a feasibility grant provided by Camden Council to Power Up North London (PUNL) in the second quarter of 2021. With the grant, PUNL conducted an assessment of potential solar sites in the borough, ultimately identifying two suitable locations. Among these, the Talacre stood out as a prime candidate for a solar installation.
To ensure the viability of the project, PUNL commissioned a comprehensive roof survey of Talacre. The survey determined which areas of the roof were unobstructed by the building or neighbouring structures, maximizing the potential for solar panel placement. The analysis indicated that the centre consumes 185 MWh of electricity annually, and the proposed 83kWp solar array is expected to generate 68 MWh, with around 90% of that energy being used on-site.
In addition, PUNL explored the possibility of incorporating battery storage to store surplus solar energy. However, after careful analysis of on-site consumption patterns, it was concluded that battery installation would not yield a reasonable payback. As a result, the focus remained on maximizing energy usage within the facility itself.
Following the successful completion of the feasibility study and the signing of the license and power purchase agreement by Camden Council, GLL, and PUNL, a crowd-funded share offer was launched in 2023. The aim was to raise £80,000 to finance the purchase of the solar panels. The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, and the share offer quickly reached its funding goal within just six weeks.
The installation of solar panels at Talacre is set to bring a range of benefits to the sports centre and the local community. By reducing fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions, the centre is estimated to save an average of 12 tonnes of carbon annually over the next 20 years. This achievement will contribute significantly to Camden Council's ambitious net-zero carbon target for 2030.
Under the terms of the license and power purchase agreement, PUNL will receive income from selling solar electricity to GLL, who, in turn, will benefit from discounted renewable electricity. After covering running costs, any surplus funds will be directed to PUNL's Community Energy Fund. These funds will then be invested in local fuel poverty projects and other community energy initiatives, strengthening the community's resilience in the face of climate change.
The project took a total of 3 weeks to complete and our staff received positive feedback from PUNL for our enthusiasm and support throughout the installation process. By embracing solar power, Talacre Community Sports Centre has not only secured a cleaner and more sustainable future for itself but has also become a valuable community asset. The centre will utilize its solar installation to educate the community about the benefits of renewable energy and initiate a broader conversation about local ownership of energy generation. This forward-thinking project sets a shining example for other facilities to emulate, propelling the community towards a brighter, greener future.