Greener Great Coxwell

Planning community-owned solar power and renewable heat for Great Coxwell

Greener Great Coxwell is a low carbon community group in the village of Great Coxwell. They plan to set up a solar energy project and are looking into a shared heating system for the village, run on renewable energy.

The solar project would generate renewable electricity for the parish. The heating system would supply homes with heat from a renewable source, such as a ground source heat pump that heats water to 70°C. The group hopes the solar panels could power the heat pump, so the village benefits directly from the energy it generates. Together, the two projects should cut the local carbon footprint and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The group wants the scheme to be inclusive and community-owned, and to generate community benefit.

They also care strongly about biodiversity. They’re working with local landowners to set up a community orchard, and supporting a local farmer to experiment with rewilding the land round the village.