Buckingham and the surrounding parishes spend almost £20 million per year on energy, almost all of which leaves the local economy.

A new community solar farm is being built at Gawcott Fields Farm, between Buckingham and Gawcott.

Construction is already underway and the solar farm is due to be exporting low carbon electricity to the local grid by the end of June.

Surplus income generated by the Community Solar Farm (after operating and finance costs) will be used to provide funding for community organisations and projects in the local area. The project will generate an estimated minimum community surplus of £10,000 per year for the first 4 years rising to £20,000 per year for the next 16 years. The Community surplus could be significantly more (over £1.5 million in total over the 30-year life of the project) if generation and inflation are slightly higher than the conservative figures used in the business plan.

The community bond offer is an opportunity for people and organisations from the local and wider community to invest in the community solar farm and receive annual interest of 6%[1], and their capital back over 20 years. We are seeking to raise up to £2 million from the bond offer. The bond offer document is available now by clicking the download button below. You can apply for bonds here at Ethex.

Download Gawcott Fields Community Solar Bond Offer Document.