One of the risks of climate action is that, if done without an eye on justice, it can benefit society’s winners and entrench inequality. Solar is a case in point. Wealthier households who own their own homes can get cheap energy from installing solar panels. Renters and those on lower incomes would benefit more from the savings, but don’t get to take part.
Community energy can be similar, providing an investment opportunity for those with some surplus cash. It’s better than energy from big corporations, but it might not reach those at the margins.
Repowering London have pioneered a people-centred approach to community energy that addresses some of these problems. They set up local energy cooperatives in London, which take on solar installations that are planned and owned by the community. It’s proactive in getting out and reaching people, diversifying the community energy sector and keeping barriers to participation low: you can become a voting member for as little as £1. They also create jobs and learning opportunities, and 150 young people have taken part in their clean energy training and mentoring schemes.
Their projects extend to over a megawatt of solar capacity on housing estates, schools and community buildings, and they are now sharing their approach with others around the country. For their impact over the last 12 years, Repowering London won the Ashden Award for Outstanding Achievement this year.
The Earthbound Report 