Share Offer Now Open!
Invest today and become a member of BWCE
We’re looking to raise further community investment to enable us to install new solar PV systems across schools and other buildings in the Bath & West area helping them save money and reduce their environmental impact.
We’re welcoming investments of anywhere from £100 – £100,000 with a maximum interest rate of 5% (subject to performance). What’s more, we’re a democratically run Community Benefit Society which means that all new investors, regardless of how much they invest, will also become voting members of BWCE with one member one vote, joining us on our mission to support communities and tackle the climate crisis.
As with all investments, capital is always at risk. Please read the share offer document in full before choosing to invest.
Watch the video
The successful installation of solar PV based on our community funded model will result in the schools benefitting from a 10-30% subsidy on the electricity produced, meaning more funds can be directed to their core mission – something that could make all the difference as schools across the country see costs skyrocket due to the energy and economic crises.
It goes without saying that we are living through extraordinary times. Given the scale of the challenge we face in addressing the climate emergency and reaching Net Zero, we know we need to scale up our ambition, and by investing today you can help make that possible. Any funds not used in these school solar arrays will support the development of many other exciting renewable energy projects we have coming up.
We’re very proud of the work we’ve achieved to date. So far, we’ve set-up 27 renewable energy projects, installed 13.2 MW of renewables capacity in the Bath & West Area, generating enough to match the equivalent annual electricity demand from 4,500 households and we’ve already donated £330,000 worth of profits to local community projects.
By engaging the local community and keeping benefits in the local area, we can grow enthusiasm and participation in Bath and the wider area for an exciting, fairer and carbon free future!
Solar Roof Spotting
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We’re hosting a series of free online info sessions about Bath & West Community Energy and how you can invest in our live share-offer and become a member.
You’ll hear from members of our team about the projects we are raising funds for, the finances and future plans of BWCE, details of the share offer, and have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
How do I Apply for Shares?
Click ‘Apply for Shares‘ below to go to a separate online application form that allows you to read the share offer document online, understand the risks involved and apply for shares. Shares can be paid for online by debit card or by bank transfer.
To find out more before applying you can:
- Read the Frequently Asked Questions further down the page
- Download the share offer document as a PDF via the button below
Our Share Offer has received the Community Shares Standard Mark.
The Community Shares Standard Mark is awarded by the Community Shares Unit to offers that meet national standards of good practice. For more information about community shares and the Community Shares Standard Mark go to the Community Shares Unit.
Risk Warning
Note, that investing in BWCE puts your capital at risk. This means that you may lose some or all of the money that you invest. Read the full offer document, understand the risks and agree with the terms before investing.
You can find out more about our plans and past performance at the following links:
- Business Plan
- Project performance for 2022-23 to date
- Historical project performance
- Annual reports and audited accounts via our AGM pages
What our investors say
“This ticks all the boxes: it does good in terms of energy generation, it does good in that it generates a fund for the community, and it does good because it’s a great investment…”
– Shay, BWCE investor
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of organisation is BWCE?
Bath & West Community Energy is a Community Benefit Society. This means that:
- We are primarily for the benefit of the community at large, rather than just for our members. For more details see our Community Benefit page.
- We have democratic decision-making built into our structure.
- We can pay interest on members’ share capital but we cannot distribute surpluses to members in the form of dividends.
- We have an asset lock that protects the founding principles and ethos of the business.
For more information on Community Benefit Societies and how they differ from Cooperative Societies, another form of Industrial and Provident Society see here.
BWCE is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our registration number is 30960R
Why should I become a member?
Become a member of BWCE and help us build our capacity to:
- Generate more renewable energy
- Develop new approaches to reducing carbon emissions
- Deliver community benefit
By becoming a member you will:
- Make a clear statement of support for what we are trying to achieve
- Help us to raise more funds for our work
- Become involved in a not-for-profit community enterprise, democratically run by its members based on one member one vote
- Earn a return of up to 5% per year on your investment depending on project performance
Who can become a member of BWCE?
Membership of BWCE is through shareholding with the following eligible to become a member.
- Individuals over the age of 16.
- For under 16s, shares can be held on their behalf and transferred to their ownership on their 16th birthday.
- Membership is also open to corporate bodies (e.g. charities, limited companies, co-operatives) and certain types of pension funds, such as Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs).
How much do I need to invest and what are the returns?
Shares are valued at £1 each. The minimum shareholding is £100 and the maximum is £100,000, per member.
Shares are being offered with an annual target interest rate of 5%, subject to project performance. Interest rates will not exceed this target rate for these shares.
This share issue does not affect the terms of shares purchased before February 2019.
What will my investment fund support?
BWCE needs new capital to enable us to:
- Install more community scale (rather than domestic scale) roof mounted solar PV systems, similar to the successful projects that BWCE already has in its portfolio. We have a target to deliver 1MW of new solar PV before April 2023. If we raise more capital than needed to deliver our rooftop solar programme, the board reserves the right to invest this additional capital in other projects with appropriate project returns, e.g. ground mount solar.
- Re-finance some of our existing capital, improving liquidity and allowing some existing shareholders to more easily withdraw their shares.
How can I participate as a member?
You will be able to participate in decision making. As a member you will have one vote regardless of the number of shares you own. One Member – One Vote
You will be able to stand for election to BWCE’s board. If successful you will be able to hold the post for a period of three years before resigning or re-standing for election.
Membership is governed by our rules which are available to download here.
What are the tax implications of BWCE Shares?
BWCE is required to send out share interest payments gross of tax (in other words with no tax deducted) and we are also required to provide to the Inland Revenue the names and addresses of shareholders who received share interest payments greater than £250. The interest should be declared on the tax return relating to the tax year you receive the actual money (NOT for the year in which it was earned by BWCE).
If in any doubt you must consult HMRC or your financial advisor.
How else can I invest in BWCE?
Anyone over the age of 18 can invest in a BWCE bond offer when they are available. BWCE doesn’t have any open bond offers at the moment.
Bonds offer a fixed rate of interest, generally for a fixed term.
As a Bondholder you do not have the same rights as a member, being unable to participate in decision making and stand for the Board. However, we do try to involve Bondholders in the life of BWCE as much as possible.
We expect subsequent bond offers will be eligible for inclusion in the new Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA). This means investments made in this ‘wrapper’ will have their interest paid tax free.
Bond offers are issued as and when required. If you wish to be informed of the next bond offer please subscribe to our mailing list.