Get a "share" of the sun!

NICE (Northern Ireland Community Energy) hope to raise £150,000 in order to begin installation of PV solar panels on buildings that are owned by third sector organisations such as community groups and charities.

The new enterprise is the brainchild of a group of volunteers with a track record in renewable energy and co-operative models. They developed a community solar project that would allow them to create economies of scale, shared technical expertise, and to grow the knowledge base in Northern Ireland.

The enterprise is offering free installation of solar panels to a number of third sector organisations. These groups will benefit from electricity at a greatly discounted price for twenty years – while also supporting a more environmentally sustainable method of producing energy. Any surplus energy will be sold to the electricity Grid and NICE hopes to be able to deliver a return of approximately 4% to investors as well as investing in a community fund providing for energy saving improvements to tackle fuel poverty in Northern Ireland.

This is a great opportunity for both individual and organisations to invest in local initiatives which in turn will benefit local communities. The minimum investment is £250 and this will allow community buildings to reduce their energy costs, increase local energy generation and build community resilience. You can download the share offer document below.

Visit NICE website http://www.nicommunityenergy.org,  phone 028 90736075 or email [email protected] with any questions you have.

If you are interested in the Community Shares, Ready! programme which was commissioned by the Building Change Trust and is delivered by Co-operative Alternatives, please contact Tiziana O'Hara at [email protected] .