The biggest transfer of community energy assets ever in the UK has been completed, with solar farms with a collective capacity of 36MW going into community ownership.

The transfer sees five community businesses across England and Wales take ownership of eight solar farms in a partnership called Community Energy Together (CET).

The handover is the culmination of a process by which the groups have taken ownership of solar assets in their community. The deal has been facilitated by Community Owned Renewable Energy (CORE), a partnership between the UK’s leading social impact investor Big Society Capital and Power to Change an independent trust that shapes the conditions for community business to thrive.

Designed and managed by the UK’s leading environmental impact investment advisor and fund manager, Finance Earth, the closure of the fund marks the successful realisation of its initial purpose of facilitating community ownership of renewable assets and creating funding streams for wider social change.

Big Society Capital investment director, Joe Shamash said: “This transfer is testament to the potential that community energy has to help the UK reach its net-zero targets in a way that benefits local communities throughout the country. We are so pleased to have helped communities take ownership of solar farms that deliver the multiple benefits of energy security, a cleaner planet and funding for local community projects.”

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