Westmill Solar

Westmill Solar Co-operative was established to inspire change, to show that ordinary people can participate in developing new sources of renewable energy, and to help combat the climate crisis.

When Westmill Solar Co-operative was formed, it was thought to be the UK’s first and the world’s largest co-operatively run, community owned solar farm. The solar park was formally commissioned in July 2011 and, following a successful fundraising campaign, Westmill Solar Co-operative acquired the solar park for £15.1 million on 31 October 2012. The co-op has over 1,600 members who helped to fund the purchase of the solar park.

The site houses 30 acres of over 20,000 polycrystalline PV panels which generate around 5 GWh/year. That is an area the size of 17 football pitches, creating enough energy to power over 1,200 homes for a year. Each year, the solar farm prevents around 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, the equivalent of taking 215 petrol cars off the road.

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Westmill Solar in numbers...

tonnes of CO2 emissions saved each year

polycrystalline PVC panels

members of Westmill Solar Co-operative

donated to community organisations

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Member Benefits

Renewable Energy Ownership

Democratic ownership of clean energy and participation with like-minded members in the running of the Co-op.

Local Community Support

Opportunity to decide how to allocate community funding grants to support local initiatives.

Financial Return

A stable, reliable source of income and the option of securing a reduction in electricity bills.

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Key documents

Westmill Solar Co-operative Limited is a bona fide co-operative society registered with the Financial Conduct Authority under the Co-operation and Community Benefits Society Act 2014. Its registered number is 31265R and its registered office address is Unit 26, Trinity Enterprise Centre, Furness Business Park, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA14 2PN. For further information please read our rules and other key documents.

I support Westmill Solar because it directly benefits communities and individual investors in clean energy projects uncompromised by the conflicting interests of large corporations.

Jane Buckley
Westmill Solar Member

When I first saw the share offer for Westmill Solar I thought what a great idea, the interest is better than the banks. But that was not the main reason for investing, it was the idea I would be helping my son and others with a better cleaner future.

Alan Barlow
Westmill Solar Member

I like the fact that the wind farm is producing home grown renewable energy and is 100% community owned.

Westmill Wind Farm Member

I am a DIY investor who started reading up on investing at university before taking the plunge by purchasing index funds in 2010. I am still very enthusiastic about renewable energy and thanks to a healthy interest payment every year, I haven't missed the money I've invested.

Maureen McGuinness
Westmill Solar Member

I became a shareholder in Westmill Wind Farm Co-operative because I wanted to take some responsibility for the energy that I was consuming. I also wanted to be part of a community that championed the move towards renewable energy.

David Abley
Westmill Solar and Wind Member

I invested because I believe in local, renewable energy projects.

I have very little savings and no experience in stocks and shares but wanted to support your initiative. I thought that it might not lose money and possibly give a return equal to bank savings account.

Beth Edwards
Westmill Solar Member

I joined and invested in Westmill Windfarm Co-operative because I believe in the absolute necessity of switching to renewable generation, and preferably in community ownership - why is it taking so long?