One Linlithgow business improvement district nominate the Linlithgow Community Development Trust (LCDT) for introduction of ‘Linlith-Go-Solar’ community solar power.
The community energy enterprise Linlith-go-solar project aims to make solar work for the benefit of the whole town.
Linlith-go-solar has
- Put solar panels on various locations throughout the town.
- Sold the energy generated to the local community.
- Uses the surplus revenue created to help community initiatives.
At the end of 2018, Phase 1 pilot successfully raised £17k in Community Bonds to install a Solar PV panel system at Linlithgow Rugby Club and showed the appetite and support for green energy within the town. The success of this pilot led to Phase 2. A grant from Scottish Power Energy Networks Green Economy Fund and another successful Community Bond Offer (raising an incredible £25k) allowed installation of additional panels at the Rugby Club, plus panels at Linlithgow Golf Club and Linlithgow Sports Club in early 2020.
These solar panels are now producing cheap electricity for the clubs and paying back bondholders, not to mention being eco-friendly. Over the years ahead as the initiative make a surplus, this will allow LCDT to reinvest back into the community to support local projects. Responding to Scotland’s Green Recovery opportunities and the climate crisis, we are now looking to accelerate our Phase 3 plans and ambitions. Our vision is for a Linlithgow that is sustainable in energy, creating local jobs, business opportunities, community benefits, as well as young people’s opportunities, who are at the heart of this developing social enterprise.
Benefits to local people & community
Short-term (Year 1):
- Savings in energy supply costs and carbon for Linlithgow’s Rugby Club.
- Demonstrating we can own and deliver an energy enterprise that will put money back into local community projects.
- Training and voluntary opportunities for our young people, including social media, marketing, technical and enterprise activities — already underway.
- Investment opportunity in solar energy even if you don’t have suitable roof or land.
Long-term (Year 2 and beyond):
Phase 2 will involve scaling up the Linlith-go-solar project to other roof and ground locations, and this will:
- Generate a significant community benefit fund over 25 years.
- Create jobs, volunteering and training opportunities in managing and developing the new enterprise.
- Provide cheaper, greener, accessible local supplies of electricity owned and run by the community.
The final contenders in the search to find Scotland’s Town of the Year have been announced.
Communities from across the country were put forward for the honour as part of the 2024 Scotland Loves Local Awards.
They have been whittled down to the final five now being considered by a panel of judges. They are:
- Broughty Ferry (Dundee)
- Darvel (East Ayrshire)
- East Kilbride (South Lanarkshire)
- Inverurie (Aberdeenshire)
- Oban (Argyll and Bute)
Projects in five other places have, meanwhile, been shortlisted in the Most Enterprising Community category. They are:
- Dalry Community Hub (Dalry, North Ayrshire)
- Letham Climate Challenge (Perth, Perth & Kinross)
- Linlith-go-solar (Linlithgow, West Lothian)
- Narture CIC (Ayr, South Ayrshire)
- Tree in the Park (Dunfermline, Fife)
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.
STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said: “The high standard of nominations received have been a powerful reminder of the amazing work going on to make communities across Scotland fit for the future, attracting investment and driving real economic change.
“Thanks to everyone who entered and congratulations to all of those shortlisted. Our judges face some difficult decisions in selecting their winners.”
Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local. This is the fourth year in which the awards have been held.
Article published by One Linlithgow business improvement district.
