We recently completed a solar and storage installation at Cassington Village Hall, helping the hall reduce its running costs, lower its carbon footprint and improve its energy resilience for the community it serves.

This was the first in a series of community projects we have completed across Oxfordshire. We have since worked on successful installations at Charlbury Community Centre and Stanford-in-the-Vale Village Hall. Each of those projects came to us through recommendation, and it is a pattern that reflects how seriously we take this kind of work.

System Highlights

• • 23 x 415W solar panels
  • Total capacity: 9.55 kWp
  • 1 x 10kW three-phase inverter
  • 2 x 4.6kWh batteries (9.2kWh total storage)

What does this mean?

The system is estimated to generate between 8,500 and 9,500 kWh of electricity per year. Month to month, that ranges from around 1,100 to 1,300 kWh during the summer peak, down to 150 to 300 kWh in winter, with an annualised monthly average of 800 to 900 kWh.

For a village hall with regular community use, that represents a meaningful reduction in what needs to be drawn from the grid and a significant cut to energy running costs. The system is also estimated to save approximately 2 to 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per year, a tangible environmental contribution for a community building.

The 9.2kWh of battery storage allows electricity generated during the day to be stored and used in the evening, reducing reliance on grid power during peak tariff hours. The system also includes backup capability, meaning essential services can continue to operate during a grid outage. For a rural village hall that acts as a gathering point for the local community, that resilience has real value.

As with our other community projects, solar installations for village halls and charitable organisations are zero-rated for VAT. Grants and funding options are also available and can make a significant difference to the upfront cost. It is always worth exploring what is available before assuming a project is out of reach.

Get in touch with our team to find out how solar could work for your community project.

We recently completed a solar and battery storage installation at Charlbury Community Centre, supporting the centre on its journey to becoming carbon neutral and significantly reducing its reliance on the grid.

We installed 75 solar panels to the roof, paired with a battery storage system providing 50 kWh of capacity. Together, the system is expected to generate close to 29,000 kWh of clean electricity each year. Across the year, it’s estimated this will cover close to 60% of the centre’s energy needs over 12 months, rising to around 75% in the summer months. For a building in near-constant use, this project will have a substantial impact.

System Highlights

• 75 solar panels
• 50 kWh battery storage
• Expected annual generation: ~29,000 kWh

What does this mean?

The centre is projected to save a significant amount on its current electrical costs. Any surplus energy generated during the day is stored in the batteries for use after dark, and once the batteries are full, any excess power is exported to to the grid, generating additional income.

Beyond the financial savings, the centre will see a large drop in its carbon emissions – an estimated 6,000 kg in the first year alone, which is the equivalent to taking a car off the road for over 21,000 miles. Visitors to the centre can track the system’s performance in real time, via an interactive digital display near reception. Find out more about Charlbury Community Centre.

The installation was largely funded by a £28,450 grant from Sustainable Charlbury, representing the final instalment of a £100,000 commitment to support energy-efficient improvements at the centre. The commitment was originally made as part of the planning application for the community-owned Southill Solar Farm, completed in 2015. Revenues from that farm are now, in turn, funding further solar capacity in the community. Visit the Southill Community Energy website to learn more about the project.

A note on cost and funding

Solar installations for community and charitable organisations are zero-rated for VAT, which can make a meaningful difference to the overall cost of a project. Grants, such as the funding secured here through Sustainable Charlbury, can reduce costs further still. If your organisation is considering solar, it is well worth exploring what funding may be available before you start.

Get in touch with our team to find out how solar could work for your community project.