AES Solar have installed over 70 kWp of solar PV across five different systems for the community-led energy enterprise, Linlith-Go-Solar since 2019.
Linlithgow Community Development Trust (LCDT) is formed by residents of Linlithgow and the surrounding area to deliver beneficial change to the local area. Out of this came Linlith-Go-Solar – a community energy enterprise project aiming to make solar work for the whole town.
When LCDT needed finance to install solar panels on the local sports clubs they turned to the people of Linlithgow. By becoming ‘Citizen Investors’ the local community could invest in the scheme by buying bonds. Working with Scottish Communities Finance Ltd, LCDT developed a bond portfolio giving the residents the knowledge that they could invest securely, confident that the panels would produce both a social and financial return.
We have a proud history of taking on projects with a social cause. Consequently, we were immediately drawn to the project and its ambitions to make their community a more attractive, sustainable and vibrant place to live and work. It’s not too far off what we’re trying to achieve in Forres and the rest of Moray! So, when we heard there was an opportunity to get involved with this project we knew we had to get involved.
One of only three Scottish-based installers to be part of the local solar framework, we were delighted to win the competitive tender for the first two phases of the Linlith-Go-Solar community energy enterprise initiative.
Phase One
Linlithgow Rugby Club
- Total Installed Capacity (kW): 14.85
- Estimated Annual Generation (kWh): 11583.00
With the funds successfully raised by the local community, work began on Phase One in April 2019. The first phase and the pilot project of Linlith-Go-Solar consisted of a 55 panel, 14.85 kWp solar PV system on Linlithgow Rugby Club. The successful fundraising in community bonds showed a huge appetite and support for renewable energy in the town.
Subsequently and based on the successful pilot project, a second ‘Linlith-Go-Solar’ bond was offered. The aim was to bring renewables to other local sports facilities. Combined with an energy grant thanks to Local Energy Scotland and Scottish Power Energy Networks Green Economy Fund, the funds were successfully raised as a result. This was used to install another system at the rugby club in addition to the pilot project, alongside solar PV systems at the golf club and sports club in early 2020.
However the project was not without its challenges for AES Solar. For example, we faced the fast-approaching deadline of the Feed-in Tariff for community solar PV installations in April 2020. In addition, with covid-19 a growing threat, we were also racing against the clock of an impending nationwide lockdown (not that we knew it at the time). We completed Phase 2 of Linlith-Go-Solar just before the lockdown was initiated. Talk about good timing!
Phase Two
Linlithgow Rugby Club
- Total Installed Capacity (kW): 15.12
- Estimated Annual Generation (kWh): 11929.68
Linlithgow Sports and Social Club
- Total Installed Capacity (kW): 17.64
- Estimated Annual Generation (kWh): 14112.00
Linlithgow Golf Club
- Total Installed Capacity (kW): 22.40
- Estimated Annual Generation (kWh): 17674.00
The Systems Today
Fast forward to 2022 and the systems are performing well. The solar PV is producing low-cost, renewable energy for the clubs and paying back bondholders. Subsequently, both energy bills and the carbon footprints of the induvial clubs are being reduced. Likewise all clubs have been fitted with bespoke monitoring systems. This allows the facilities to make the most of their energy generation and consumption. Over the years as the initiative makes a profit, LCDT can reinvest back into the community to support local projects and groups further.
A well-suited match
LCDT are hopeful this investment will consequently encourage local jobs and business opportunities in the area. They also hope it will provide more youth development opportunities, the cause at the heart of the developing social enterprise. These are all incredibly important issues that align closely with our values. It is these shared values that made Linlith-Go-Solar and AES Solar such a well-suited match.
Moreover, we continue to maintain our excellent relationship with LCDT and the local community. This includes an input to educational webinars and advice for local residents. More recently we sponsored Team Genesis, a team from Linlithgow Academy’s competing in F1 in Schools. We supplied the solar and battery kit free of charge to power the pit stop exhibition stand lights and display screen that was part of the grand final assessment and allowing the community to keep as an educational/STEM tool. The team made it to the world finals in June 2021 and would go on to be placed 8th in the world.
Overall, Linlith-Go-Solar is an excellent example of how solar power can be used to benefit the whole community.
Fraser Falconer, Chair of LCDT
Fraser Falconer, Chair of LCDT said: “All three sports clubs where the 5 systems were installed were delighted with the quality and delivery of the systems from the AES Solar operations team, particularly under highly pressured FiT and COVID lockdown deadlines.
AES Solar are always at hand to help and advise, and we have also enjoyed their technical input into educational webinars such as those delivered through the Scottish Ecological Design Association for example. In a nutshell, we hope to work with AES for many years to come as we aim to expand Linlith-Go-Solar to support our Net Zero ambitions for our town. There is no doubt that without great partner companies like AES Solar, this would be impossible.”
Read our technical Linlith-Go-Solar case study here.
