Bath West Home
Welcome to BWCE
Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE) is a not for profit community business, committed to putting people at the heart of the energy transition to zero carbon. We are a member led organisation, the majority of our members are local people. Through our renewable energy projects, we place ownership and control of energy in the hands of local people and actively benefit local communities. We are part of a UK community energy movement of over 400 organisations.
Now is a crucial time for the planet, join our movement and support us to make a difference by becoming a member of BWCE.
Clean Local Energy
We build renewable energy generating projects such as rooftop solar schemes and ground mounted solar farms (arrays).
Community Owned
We raise funds though local people investing money in us and becoming members.
For Community Benefit
Surplus income is distributed via our BWCE Fund to community projects that reduce carbon emissions and alleviate fuel poverty.
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What We Do
Generate Renewable Energy
We have a growing portfolio of rooftop solar and ground mounted solar arrays, have installed one small hydro scheme and plan to develop other renewables. Read more
We run research projects to explore how energy demand can better match renewable generation in order to aid the transition to a low carbon electricity grid. Read more
Home Energy Service
Our vision is to provide a home energy service that supports people at every stage of their journey. We’re starting off by offering home energy assessments. Read more
Renewable Energy Generation
Since our inception in 2010 we have installed five ground mounted solar arrays (solar farms), 30 rooftop solar systems on schools and other buildings and one modern water wheel. We have a growing pipeline of new installations.
All pre 2019 solar systems continue to be supported by the Feed in Tariff (FIT). Since the removal of FIT in 2019 we have developed new business models to enable new projects to be financially viable without it.
We install rooftop solar systems for free, manage the system and sell the electricity generated to the building owner at a discount. This means no upfront cost, less hassle, lower energy bills and a reduction in carbon emissions for the building owner.
Ground mounted solar projects are developed in liaison with local communities, Parish Councils and landowners, building in significant biodiversity improvements at the sites. Whilst we would like to sell the energy generated to local households this is not currently possible due to UK regulations and high set up costs for energy supply. Instead, we sell the electricity to an energy supplier through the wholesale electricity market. We are also in discussion with large local energy consumers about long term power purchase agreements that provide price security for both parties.
Our Project Map
The map shows where our renewable generating projects are located. Click on each to find out more details.
Bathampton Old Mill Hotel
Energy Generation
13.5 kWp
Installation Date
December 2016
Beechen Cliff School
Energy Generation
170 kWp
Installation Date
January 2022
Castle Mead School
Energy Generation
50 kWp
Installation Date
November 2014
Corsham School
Energy Generation
50 kWp + 33 kWp
Installation Dates
May 2012 & December 2022
Crewkerne
Energy Generation
5 MWp
Installation Date
June 2016
Hartham Park
Energy Generation
250 kWp
Installation Date
July 2012
Hayesfield School
Energy Generation
91 kWp
Installation Date
August 2022
Lansdown Golf Club
Energy Generation
41 kWp
Installation Date
January 2022
Lewis House (B&NES Council)
Energy Generation
38 kWp
Installation Date
October 2014
Linleys Barn
Energy Generation
47 kWp
Installation Date
Early 2012
Newbridge Primary School
Energy Generation
37 kWp
Installation Date
December 2011
Norton Hill School
Energy Generation
160 kWp
Installation Date
August 2022
Oldfield Infants School
Energy Generation
8 kWp
Installation Date
Early 2012
Oldfield School
Energy Generation
46 kWp
Installation Date
January 2012
Peasdown St. John Primary School
Energy Generation
38 kWp
Installation Date
December 2011
Portworthy
Energy Generation
4 MWp
Installation Date
December 2015
Ralph Allen School
Energy Generation
45 kWp + 25kWp
Installation Dates
December 2011 &August 2021
Somervale School
Energy Generation
114 kWp
Installation Date
September 2022
St. Augustine's Catholic College
Energy Generation
72 kWp
Installation Date
April 2023
St. John's C of E Primary School
Energy Generation
37.2 kWp
Installation Date
April 2023
St. Mark's School
Energy Generation
70.4 kWp
Installation Date
April 2023
St. Martins Gardens Primary School
Energy Generation
10 kWp
Installation Date
January 2012
Stowey Barn
Energy Generation
22.3 kWp
Installation Date
February 2015
Stowey Farm Ground Mounted
Energy Generation
250 kWp
Installation Date
September 2016
The Mead Primary School
Energy Generation
49 kWp
Installation Date
February 2012
Three Ways School
Energy Generation
129 kWp
Installation Date
October 2022
Walcot Rugby Club
Energy Generation
30 kWp
Installation Date
December 2011
Wilmington Farm
Energy Generation
2.34 MWp
Installation Date
March 2015
Writhlington School
Energy Generation
170 kWp
Installation Date
January 2022
Renewable Energy
Since our inception in 2010 we have installed five ground mounted solar arrays (solar farms), 21 rooftop solar systems on schools and other buildings and one modern water wheel. We have a growing pipeline of new installations.
All pre 2019 solar systems continue to be supported by the Feed in Tariff (FIT). Since the removal of FIT in 2019 we have developed new business models to enable new projects to be financially viable without it.
We install rooftop solar systems for free, manage the system and sell the electricity generated to the building owner at a discount. This means no upfront cost, less hassle, lower energy bills and a reduction in carbon emissions for the building owner.
Ground mounted solar projects are developed in liaison with local communities, Parish Councils and landowners, building in significant biodiversity improvements at the sites. Whilst we would like to sell the energy generated to local households this is not currently possible due to UK regulations and high set up costs for energy supply. Instead, we sell the electricity to an energy supplier through the wholesale electricity market. We are also in discussion with large local energy consumers about long term power purchase agreements that provide price security for both parties.
Managing Energy Demand
The climate crisis requires more than just replacing fossil fuel generation with renewable energy. We also need to reduce energy use, and be more flexible in how we use electricity to make the most of when renewables are generating.
Over the past 10 years BWCE have been managing a number of innovative research trials to implement systems and practices to help match households electricity demand with locally generated electricity supply.
Out current Flex Community™ project simulates the direct householder purchase of locally generated renewable electricity. We anticipate this will be a reality within 12 months.
For more information on this and our previous research projects click here
Home Energy Service
We believe that every home should be warm, affordable and healthy to live in – for us and for the planet. That’s why we’re setting up an independent, not-for-profit home energy efficiency service, to offer impartial, expert advice on how to make your home more comfortable and sustainable.
Community Benefit
£380,000 Donated
£380,000 donated to the BWCE Fund and other organisations to support environmental and fuel poverty projects.
63 Organisations
63 local community organisations supported to run 101 projects
£615,000 Revenue
£615,000 of revenue per year retained in the West of England area.
£250,000 Donated
£250,000 donated to environmental and fuel poverty projects.
55 Organisations
55 local community organisations supported to run 82 projects
£615,000 Revenue
£615,000 of revenue per year retained in the West of England area.
Bringing Benefit to our Local Communities
We set up the BWCE Fund as an independent charity with its own trustees to distribute
surplus from our renewable generating projects in the form of grants to community projects making environmental improvements, reducing carbon emissions and fighting fuel poverty. We are very proud of the benefits these grants have brought within our local communities.
As a successful local community owned business we try to ensure that as much of our revenue as possible is retained in the local economy so that it recirculates and further benefits local businesses and communities.
Through our community engagement work we seek to use our resources to support community groups and other organisations to develop activities that address the climate crisis and promote energy efficiency. We do this through building partnerships, collaborating on projects, running events and sharing useful information through our website and newsletter.
We are continually looking for new ways to use our finances, skills, experience and our network of members and supporters for the benefit of both local communities and planet. Ultimately, we are aiming to build a resilient and sustainable community energy infrastructure, based on local ownership and control, which can better withstand shocks in the wider energy system and economy.
Find out about the BWCE Fund
Find out who can apply to the BWCE Fund and what for.
Check out the local projects that have received grants from the fund.
