Local businesses with large roofs can now get free solar panels fitted by Frome Renewable Energy Co-op. The co-op funds all aspects of the installation and business owners get either an annual roof rent or a reduction in their electricity costs.
Chair of FRECo Anna Francis said ‘This really is a win-win situation. Businesses get income from their roofs, the community invests and gets a 5 to 6% return, all profits go into a community fund to reduce fuel poverty and the panels reduce carbon emissions.’
Frome Medical Practice’s Tina Merry, who had FRECo solar panels installed recently said ‘It’s a great scheme, we are saving several thousand on our electricity costs and we have screens in the waiting rooms showing how much clean energy is being generated.’
Peter MacFadyen Frome Town Councillor added ‘There are lots of roofs at Marston Trading Estate and Commerce Park, for example, that are perfect for solar. If you have a contact there please do put them in touch. Frome wants to move away from polluting energy sources like oil and gas, so we really need to start putting more solar on local roofs. And the sooner businesses get involved the sooner they will start generating income.’
For more information contact: anna@freco.org or visit: www.freco.org
