LYMM Community Energy need to raise £68,000 through a share offer to enable solar panels to be installed on the roofs of two local schools – and they need to do it by September.
Statham Primary and Cherry Tree Primary have been selected to take part in a community funded green energy initiative run by Lymm Community Energy (LCE).
The idea is to install the panels during the summer holidays.
Each school will benefit from cheaper electricity – each school saving at least £1,000-a-year.
Two other schools – Oughtrington Primary and Ravenbank Primary – were involved in a similar scheme last year and are already reaping the financial and education benefits.
But Government cuts in funding for renewables mean such schemes just aren’t viable now.
Fortunately, LCE managed to “pre-register” the Statham and Cherry Tree schools which means they can still benefit from the old scheme until September.
LCE chairman Zoe Cohen said: “It’s a last chance for Statham and Cherry Tree to run on sun.
There’s a crucial last chance in the next couple of months to make renewable energy a reality for Statham and Cherry Tree.
“This would mean a complete win win – financial savings for the schools, more money to spend on the kids, less CO2 for our planet, a great educational resource using the online monitoring data we give them, plus green inspiration for the next generation, and a 3-4 per cent per annum . return to investors.
“The schools can use these savings for books, resources and play equipment for their pupils. Each school will also have an electronic display showing their own renewable energy generation which is a brilliant tool for children to learn about green technologies and sustainable energy – as well as practice their maths and science!”
For the project to go ahead, LCE need to raise around £68,000 through a share offer. Anyone can invest – from a minimum of £250. They can even invest on behalf of children or grandchildren.
The return to investors is anticipated to be between 3-4 per cent from year 2, with a planned return of all investors’ capital by the end of the scheme in 20 years.
Jack, a year 6 pupil at Cherry Tree, said: “It will make the school more efficient because just one hour of sunlight can provide a huge amount of energy.”
If you would like to know more please visit http://lowcarbonlymm.org.uk/sub-groups/lymm-community-energy-2/ . The share offer will be launched on 19th May and is planned to last for 5 weeks. The share offer document will set out full details and will be available to download from the webpage from May 19.
Before then you can express your interest with no obligation by emailing or calling – LCE will then make sure you personally receive a prospectus when the share offer is launched.
Email [email protected] or call Zoe on 07786 074741
