Recent statistics from the UK government have revealed a significant milestone. In 2024, half of the country’s electricity (50.8%) was generated from renewable sources, with solar power contributing a record 14.8 terawatt-hours.
But this shift isn’t driven solely by large-scale infrastructure; it’s also powered by local communities taking control of their energy use.
Across the country, from Brighton to London, neighbourhoods, artists and councils have come together to strengthen local economies through solar energy. To highlight the efforts of community solar in the UK, here are five initiatives making a big impact.
Westmill Solar Co-operative (Oxfordshire)
The Westmill Solar Co-operative is an excellent example of a community-led renewable energy project in the UK. Comprising 1,500 members from Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, the solar park is made up of 20,000 polycrystalline photovoltaic panels and spans over 30 acres!
The initiative was spearheaded by local farmer and environmentalist Adam Twine, who had already led the development of a nearby wind farm (the Westmill Wind Farm).
The Westmill Solar Co-op generates approximately 4.8 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, which is enough to power around 1,600 average homes (and offset approximately 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions).
In 2012, it was the UK’s first and the world’s largest cooperatively operated, community-owned solar park. Today, the Westmill Solar Co-op is still committed to community enrichment.
In March 2025 alone, the cooperative donated £41,232 through its community funding grants scheme.
Brighton Energy Co-operative (Brighton)
The Brighton Energy Co-operative was imagined in 2010 and, following investments from 8 members, it began building its first solar projects in 2012. As a ‘Community Benefit Society’, the BEC allows individuals to become members by investing in the co-operative.
Investments range from £300 to £100,000, and members receive returns while contributing to renewable energy projects in the Brighton area. But how do they do this?
The BEC offers fully funded solar PV systems to businesses across a range of sectors. They lease roof space and install bespoke solar arrays. Past projects have seen the BEC work with secondary schools, transport services and residential blocks in Brighton.
Low Carbon Hub (Oxfordshire)
Oxfordshire’s Low Carbon Hub has been a successful community-owned renewable energy project since 2011.
It boasts an impressive portfolio of renewable energy installations, including rooftop solar panels on schools and businesses, hydroelectric schemes, and ground-mounted solar parks.
In fact, the Ray Valley Solar project is actually the largest community-owned ground-mounted solar park in the country! The Low Carbon Hub operates on a community benefit model, reinvesting 100% of its surplus into more community projects.
Lynmouth Road Solar Project (Walthamstow, London)
The ‘POWER STATION’ project is a ‘public work of art’ that transformed rooftops in North East London into a collective solar power hub.
The ‘show and do’ project was spearheaded by local artists Dan Edelstyn and Hilary Powell, who were determined to tackle the social issues of climate change.
The couple faced various challenges, like high installation costs (and the complexities of coordinating multiple households), and later announced a creative crowdfunding campaign to launch the project.
They spent 23 nights on their rooftop during the winter of 2022, raising over £113,000 to subsidise solar installations for 30 households in the area.
Eight Solar Farms Transferred to Community Ownership
Perhaps the most impressive move for community solar in the UK happened in January 2024, when eight solar farms across England and Wales transitioned into community ownership.
It marked the largest transfer of community energy assets in the nation’s history, the collective acquisition totalling 35 megawatts peak (MWp) in capacity!
The move was orchestrated by Community Energy Together (CET), a partnership of five UK energy organisations:
- Wight Community Energy
- Gower Power
- Kent Community Energy
- Shropshire and Telford Community Energy
- Yealm Community Energy
According to the CET, the transfer has increased the community solar capacity of England and Wales by one-fifth! Director of Wight Community Energy, Colin Palmer, has also highlighted how important the project’s revenue will be in combating fuel poverty in the UK.
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