The Big Solar Co-op

A great turn out and lively discussions about how to move forward Community Energy locally at our Stroud Solar Summit today!

@fce-cbs.bsky.social, Simon Opher MP, Gloucestershire Community Energy Co-op, Transition Stroud, Stroud Area Community Energy Network (SACEN), Cllr Chloe Turner and more✊🌞

Ever wondered where our solar arrays are located across the UK, how much clean electricity they generate and what that is in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tco2e)?

If the answer is yes...then you will want to check out our sites page on the website >>>

bigsolar.coop/sites

Whiteborough Solar Park We’ve been working on our Whiteborough solar park project for over 3 years now. We want to show that ground-mounted solar makes a lot of sense, if it is done right. At Whiteborough we are bringing…

Hi Geoff, the latest info is in our newsletter that went out this morning:

mailchi.mp/bigsolar.coo...

And we are running a Whiteborough specific update Zoom call on Mar 10th at 12:30: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

We are busy drafting the next newsletter so we can tell you all about the latest sites, project updates, event invites and investment opportunities... Get on the mailing list today if you want the inside scoop >>>

Here is a clue...

bigsolar.coop/newsletter-s...

YouTube video by Big Solar Co-op How to invest in community solar with the Big Solar Co-op

Fancy a deeper dive into what the Big Solar Co-op does, why it exists and how you can support the growth of community owned solar in the UK? Here is our latest Youtube offering with updates from our CEO:

youtu.be/h2rF7QASVDU?...

Powering Progress Through Collaboration at Whiteborough Solar Park | Younity Big Investment, Bigger Impact   In September, our friends at the Big Solar Co-op wrapped up their bond offer for the Whiteborough Solar Park on Ethex’s ethical investment platform, raising an impressi...

🌞 From Coal Mine to Solar Hub!

Whiteborough Solar Park is turning a former coal mine into a 3.5MW clean energy hub. A true community energy success story, with 45% recycled panels and the rest ethically sourced.

Read more & get inspired for 2026 👉

www.younity.coop/blogs/blog/c...

Get solar Submit your site WHAT ARE THE STEPS? Your site is submitted to our database and we’ll work with you to analyse it’s suitability for solar with us. It does not have to be south-facing…

We are seeking sites with large roofs, high electricity usage and that are owner occupied (freehold) to host our solar panels.

We’re a not-for-profit cooperative 100% owned by our members, who want the UK to have cleaner energy, and lower emissions. Come on in!

Sounds like a great role for the right person - have shared on our forum :)

That's great to see! It seems that the Food Warehouse is owned by Iceland Foods Group, who have a pretty solid sustainability track record and future goals. We'd be happy to discuss getting more solar on roofs for them, fast if anyone has a contact?

sustainability.iceland.co.uk

There are now 15 rooftop solar installations owned by Big Solar Co-op members! Want in? Everyone is invited to our webinar on 20 January, when Big Solar Co-op CEO, Jon Halle, will discuss progress to date and the impact of investment in community energy.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1962233385...

Big Solar Newsletter Sign Up SIGN UP FOR UPDATES Our unique model means empty roofs across the UK that are perfect for solar energy can start cutting bills, improving energy security, and reducing emissions to help tackle the…

If you would like regular updates about new installs, impact, events, progress and more...please click the link below and join our mailing list >>>

bigsolar.coop/newsletter-s...

Whiteborough Solar Park We’ve been working on our Whiteborough solar park project for over 3 years now. We want to show that ground-mounted solar makes a lot of sense, if it is done right. At Whiteborough we are bringing…

We focus primarily on rooftop solar, but get asked a lot about solar car park canopies and why we are doing a groundmount solar project. This thoughtful article from @lowcarbonhub.bsky.social explains a lot of crucial details:

bigsolar.coop/whiteborough...
www.lowcarbonhub.org/p/rooftop-vs...

@commenergyengland.bsky.social are inviting public figures and organisations supportive of community energy to sign an important open letter to G'ment. We are in! If you aren’t in a group or a public figure, please forward on to a CE or climate group/MP/celebrity etc✊

uptheenergy.co.uk

2025 award winner - Big Solar Co-op Small or Medium Big Solar Co-op has grown quickly over the past six years, running volunteer-led rooftop solar projects alongside bigger installations like Whiteborough Solar Park.

So much can be achieved when we cooperate and aim for a shared goal! An (ace) award and...

100 volunteer members
1,300 investor members
450 bond holders
£3.8 million invested by the public
1,489 MWh of clean energy produced

communityenergyengland.org/guidance/cas...

@commenergyengland.bsky.social

We did it! It feels good to be bringing this home for the rest of the Big Solar Co-op team. Onwards and upwards!

We made the papers with our most recent install!

stroudtimes.com/dr-simon-oph...

If you would like regular updates about new installs, impact, events, progress and more...please click the link below and join our mailing list >>>

bigsolar.coop/newsletter-s...

China academic intimidation claim referred to counter-terrorism police Sensitive research into alleged human rights abuses is alleged to have been shut down by Chinese agents.

The Big Solar Co-op stands with Laura Murphy.

Their work helped to inspire our ethical solar PV panel sourcing policy. We want to see independent sources, that provide ethical auditing and/or carbon lifecycle analysis for solar PV in the UK.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Shropshire Hills, the Discovery Centre is much loved visitor centre with a café, riverside meadows, a museum, a shop and a packed roster of activities for all…

Today we are celebrating the switch on of a new solar pv array on the roof of our latest community site. This living grass roof was a technical challenge but well worth it to be able to help by supplying around 64% of their energy requirements at below grid prices!

bigsolar.coop/shropshire-h...

WOW! We're thrilled to share that we've been shortlisted for not just one, but two gongs at the #CommunityEnergy Awards 2025!

🏆 Community Energy Excellence
🤝 Collaboration in Community Energy – with our amazing partners @ethexuk.bsky.social and @younityuk.bsky.social

YouTube video by Big Solar Co-op Medical practice teams up with the Big Solar Co-op for cheaper energy and lower emissions.

Wow, this was Eden Court Medical practice in Birmingham almost a year ago. Since then our 89 solar panels have been meeting 50% of their energy needs and saved 6 tonnes of carbon. #inspo #climate #community #renewables #netzero

Would you like to come and work with our parent org - Sharenergy? Or know someone else who would?

They are looking for somebody exceptional to head up the Development Team >>>

www.sharenergy.coop/jobs

Volunteer Our work is powered by our Volunteer Members and supported by a professional team. You don’t have to join an existing community energy group or spend time creating one – you can just join the Big…

Hi Matthew, good thinking and we are not aware of any blocker to this in principle. But we need established contacts and lines of communication to help our co-op members to get talking to the right people. More info about how this works on our website:
bigsolar.coop/volunteer/

YouTube video by Big Solar Co-op How to invest in community solar with the Big Solar Co-op

As the bond offer for the Whiteborough Solar Park, on #ethex comes to a close we are back to our first focus - rooftops!

Today, Jon Halle presented the hows and whys of investing in community solar with the Big Solar Co-op. Check it out on our Youtube channel >>>

youtu.be/ZsPm9z21VSs

There are now 13 rooftop solar installations owned by Big Solar Co-op members! Potential investors are very welcome to join our webinar next week, when Big Solar Co-op CEO, Jon Halle, will discuss progress to date and the impact of investment in community energy.

us06web.zoom.us/.../reg.../9....

If you would like regular updates about new installs, impact, events, progress and more...please click the link below and join our mailing list >>>

bigsolar.coop/newsletter-s...

It's fantastic to see the investor support continue for the @bigsolarcoop.bsky.social bond offer, they've now raised over £1.3 million to construct the UK's first recycled solar park on the site of a former coal mine!

#Communityenergy #investincommunityenergy

Join us this Friday lunchtime to find out how you can invest in community solar with the Big Solar Co-op >>>

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-inv...

Big Solar Co-op raises over GBP 1 million for UK coal mine project Solar bond offered through impact investing platform provides community energy cooperative with funds to construct 3.5 MW project in Whiteborough, England. Big Solar Co-op plans to use European manufa...

We love to see our friends at @bigsolarcoop.bsky.social getting the recognition they deserve 💛☀️

They’ve raised over £1 million to build a 3.5MW solar park on a former coal mine site in Whiteborough, smashing their target & powering forward with second-life & European-made panels 🔋🌍

Holy moly...we hit £1M over the weekend! This is fantastic news and means we can get more done sooner onsite at Whiteborough as well as not needing to take on some of the loan finance we had in place🌞