A Solar Roof For All Saints, Wokingham: Guest Blog

Here in Wokingham we could be only weeks away from having our own solar panel array, if all goes according to plan.

Will you help realise the dream of using the huge roof of The Cornerstone community centre to generate cost-free and clean electricity and bring in vital Government funding which can be used for local community projects?

How to support
Simply by signing up at the Energyshare website you can increase our chances of getting funding for the project. The more signed-up supporters the scheme gets the greater our chance of success. To become a supporter sign up at:

www.energyshare.com/all-saints-wokingham

Click “Support this Group” and then click "sign up" and follow the instructions. The system will send you a verification email with a link to click through. Once you have clicked through you are shown as a supporter. Please ask your friends, family and colleagues to sign up too! It only takes a few minutes, and each supporter makes a difference. Applications close on the 30th September 2011, but we have a real chance of success.

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As well as generating thousands of pounds in Government pay-outs every year for the next 25 years for local projects, an array of photovoltaic panels will cut the Cornerstone's annual electricity bill in half, reducing pressure on hire charges for all in the community who need to use the building

Another aim of the project is to champion solar energy in the town so other local community buildings will follow.

Technical feasibility has been confirmed by the original architects' team of the 7 year-old Cornerstone building. It has the green light from the professionals and the benefit of their expert guidance on exact numbers and positioning of the solar panels.

Now planning permission from Wokingham Borough Council is being applied for.

Funding needs to be found. Local community support is vital to success in the scheme's application to Energyshare - a national fund founded by River Cottage and British Gas to support inspiring, community-led renewable energy projects which will create real change.

The scheme has almost 400 signed -up supporters at present and on that basis has already made it on to the shortlist of 100 projects in the country being considered by Energyshare for funding. To make it into the final shortlist it needs many many more supporters– thousands rather than hundreds would be good!

The Cornerstone is a community centre owned by All Saints Church Wokingham and run with and for our local community. Its mission is to enrich the lives of the people of Wokingham and deepen our spirit of community.

All Saints Church is a double holder of the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Ecocongregation award, dedicated to caring for creation and reducing its carbon footprint.

To become a supporter sign up at
www.energyshare.com/all-saints-wokingham
Click “Support this Group” and follow the instructions

THANK YOU!

Your support can bring benefits to Wokingham for the next quarter-century and help save many communities worldwide from the worst effects of climate change.