Although most of the funds raised have come from local residents, Kelsale-cum-Carlton Parish Council, Kelsale Village Hall Management Committee and Kelsale Social Club have all joined as corporate members, as has Greener Sax, the local transition town initiative.

We weren’t allowed to receive grants from public funds for the installation itself, as this would have jeopardised our ability to claim Feed-in Tariffs.  However we had a generous grant from Suffolk County Council to improve insulation in our Grade II listed village hall, install secondary double glazing and storage heaters – all of which maximise the benefit we receive from the electricity we generate.  We also had a grant from Suffolk Coastal District Council (now East Suffolk Council) to help with the costs of registering and establishing the co-op itself.

We’ve also had great support from our supplier – a local firm, East Green Energy.