Crediton's Community Energy [CCE] project has completed a feasibility study which recommends the installation of photovoltaic [PV] cells on school roofs. Sustainable Crediton is now working with Queen Elizabeth's School with a view to gaining governor approval for PV installation. Ben Brook (QE Academy Trust, Director of Finance and Resources) welcomed the initiative saying "CCE's proposal could save the School £10,000 a year which we can then put to much better use supporting student learning whilst at the same time reducing our carbon footprint."

The Rural Community Energy Fund awarded Sustainable Crediton nearly £20,000 to study options for generating green energy on a community scale in the Crediton area. The study was carried out by the Devon Association for Renewable Energy [DARE]. Many avenues were explored but only PV installation on school roofs yielded a feasible project with an attractive investment return. Feasibility depends on attaining the current Feed-in Tariff (FIT) which would give CCE a government guaranteed, index-linked income stream for 20 years. This income should enable both an appealing ethical investment opportunity for the local community and surplus to fund other community projects.

The feasibility report has been approved by WRAP and is available here as a summary. Linda Lever (CCE group member) stated "CCEis grateful to Andrew Shadrake of DARE and the rest of the team for their excellent work. We aredelighted that the study has identified a potentially viable project that could bring benefit to schools, the community, and investors".

DARE's survey estimated that PV cells on QE roofs would generate approaching 200,000 kWh per annum. Rupert Poole (QE Principal) is enthusiastic that "should the QE Governors approve the scheme then our installation would save around 150 tonnes of CO2 per year, that's over 100kg per pupil, something to make parents and students proud. The panels would be a great reference for us in teaching physics, economics, and environmental studies and in promoting social responsibility."

Charles Mossman (Vice Chair, Sustainable Crediton) agrees that it is an exciting prospect. However, he warns, "it is a shame that recent government changes to FIT rules and future rates are a real threat to the project. Sustainable Crediton is now working hard with Devon County Council, Exeter Community Energy, and DARE to gain our project's acceptance into the FIT in September. If successful, we will move on to working with QE to develop a robust business case to present to the school's Governors. If not, then sadly that will be the end of the project."