Hammersmith & Fulham's first community solar scheme has hit its funding target after raising £106,500 from more than 100 local investors.
The 274 solar panels on Jack Tizard School's roof in White City are now fully community-owned, following the successful close of the investment offer by Hammersmith & Fulham Community Energy.
Most of the new co-owners are local residents. Their contributions now help power the school while earning them returns on their investment. Francesca Smith, headteacher at Jack Tizard School, said:
We are incredibly proud to be pioneering this innovative approach to renewable energy in schools. We are grateful to all the local residents and organisations who have invested in this initiative."
Wilf Macdonald-Brown, Director of Hammersmith & Fulham Community Energy said: "This milestone shows what's possible when communities take energy into their own hands. We couldn't have done it without our volunteers, our partners at Repowering London, and the support of Hammersmith & Fulham Council."
The project caught national attention when H&F Deputy Leader Cllr Alex Sanderson and the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero visited the White City site in June. He praised it as a model for community-led renewable energy across the UK.
How does it work?
The solar installation generates clean electricity that's sold to the school at a discounted rate – saving around £2,000 every year on energy bills. This money can now be spent directly on supporting pupils with complex learning needs.
These energy sales generate revenue for the co-op. After paying investors their returns, the surplus creates a £10,500 community fund for local projects like youth clubs, community gardens and wellbeing programmes.
All investors have automatically become co-op members with voting rights on how this fund is spent. Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Ecology, said:
This community solar scheme cuts bills, offers returns for residents, and creates funds for local projects. It's exactly the kind of clean, affordable energy solution that helps make H&F stronger, safer and kinder."
Powering the school and community
Next, Hammersmith & Fulham Community Energy is looking at new sites across the borough for more community solar installations.
Want to get involved? Email hfcommunityenergy@gmail.com or follow H&F Community Energy on Instagram.
