South Brent Community Energy Fund
Following a major failure of the wind turbine in May 2024 we have suspended awarding grants. However, we are now open to applications again so that if and when the wind turbine is working again we have a queue of projects to support.
Surplus from the operation of the wind turbine and solar panels at the Recreation Ground has been directed to new energy saving and renewable energy generation projects for the benefit of the community of South Brent and surrounding area. The guiding principles are set out in our Policy
Autumn 2024 - Applying for a grant
Although we have suspended awarding grants until the wind turbine is working again we are open to applications.from community groups, charities, schools, parish councils, social enterprises and local businesses that operate within South Brent, or that primarily support/serve the residents of South Brent and environs. It is not open to individuals.
For guidance please see Guide for Applicants
We have an application form Grant Application Form but in the first instance we ask that you contact us to discuss your proposal. The list below shows the projects we have supported in the past.
Projects to date:
To December 2024 grants totalling £272,000 have been awarded to energy saving projects in (and near) South Brent (summarised below).
South Devon Autos
The garage in the centre of the village is building new workshops and we have awarded a grant £17,891.96 for a 16.8kWp PV system and a couple of EV car charging points, which can be used by nearby residents who don't have off street parking.
Willow and Windward House Care Homes
£20,000 awarded to Centrum Care Homes towards the installation of two 10kWp PV systems, installed by Bloom Renewables of Dartington in Spring 2024
St Petroc's Church and Church Rooms - March 2024
£14,000 donated to St Petroc's for energy saving measures including secondary glazing and loft insulation in the Church Rooms and infrared heaters in the church, following energy audits we had also supported with a £480 grant in September 2023.
South Brent Old School Centre - March 2024
Our biggest grant ever, £88,000, to the Old School for insulation, PV generation and other energy saving measures associated with the "Raise the Roof" replacement roof project.
Sustainable South Brent - March 2024
£27,000 to deliver a 29kWp solar PV system for the South Brent Primary School
Vicarage Road Allotment Association - July 2023
A further £557 has been given to the Allotment Association towards additional solar panels for electric tool charging.
Sustainable South Brent - March 2023
£894 has been awarded to Sustainable South Brent for another Energy Cafe event and a series of educational workshops around the theme of energy.
Dean Prior Parish Hall - December 2023
£3264 towards a 5kWp PV installation for the hall.
South Brent & District Caring - March 2023
Following the success of SB&DC's warm woom and extended winter lunch club initiative, we decided to give another £7,500 towards the cost of repeating the programme over the winter of 2023/24.
Diptford C of E Primary School - January 2023
Delayed by the wind turbine breakdown, we were eventually able to finance the installation of a solar PV array on the flat-roofed building at Diptford school, with a grant of £5,179.
The 6kW array was installed by our friends at Good Heat, also from Diptford, over the 2022 Christmas holiday.
South Brent & District Caring - October 2022
In anticipation of a difficult winter for many we were able to give £12,000 to SB&DC to support their program of work this winter, including extended opening times of a warm space at the Old School Centre and more frequent lunch clubs.
Rattery Village Hall - July 2020
A grant of £540 has been made towards the installation of LED lighting in Rattery Village Hall.
Climate Fair 2020-21-22...
£1,000 was awarded to Sustainable South Brent to support the creation of a Climate Fair. Postponed from April 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is now scheduled for July 2022 under the name "Fair for South Brent".
Vicarage Road Allotment Association 2019-2020
A request for funding for a solar power supply for the allotment association's power tools has been agreed. £2,117 has so far been awarded for solar panels, batteries and an inverter so that petrol powered tools can be replaced with electric tools.
Church Rooms Heating
After a prolonged and detailed investigation into alternatives, the electric night storage heaters in the Church Rooms were replaced in 2019 with modern, programmable, units, together with an upgrade to the wiring. The Society made this possible with a grant of £3,052.
South Brent Warm and Well - 2018
An initial grant of £10,000 was been made to this project to fund energy saving improvements in qualifying homes in South Brent. The project was run by our neighbours at South Dartmoor Community Energy. Unfortunatley it did not work out as hoped with very little take-up of the energy saving advice made available, so £6,222 was returned to our Community Energy Fund in early 2020.
South Brent Conservative Club
SR Plumbing and Heating installed a new Worcester/Bosch gas combi boiler togther with a Wave programmer and wireless thermostat at the Club in Stockbridge Lane in October 2018. The Society funded this work with a grant of £2,064.
South Brent Health Centre
PV solar panels and LED lighting were installed by SunGift Energy in February 2018. The PV panels are on two roofs, facing south and west, to maximise the energy captured. The LED lighting will also cut the amount of electricty purchased. The installation, which was enabled with a grant of £14,547 from the Society, was inaugurated by Dr Sarah Wollaston MP on 16th March.
Official "opening" of the PV installation: SBCES directors, Drs Born and Galloway, Practice Manager Anna Keene and Sarah Wollaston MP
A splendid cake to mark the event!
Old School Centre
The lighting in the main building of the Old School Centre is the biggest electricity load, so we have awarded a grant of £3500 towards the installation of LED lamps, which took place over the 2017 summer holidays. It is anticipated that this will cut electricity consumption by 50%.
Church Rooms
The Church Rooms are used by a variety of village groups and organisations, so we were delighted to be able to help save energy and improve the lighting with a grant of £725 for LED strips and some re-wiring, in January 2017.
The embroidery class enjoying the improved lightining in the Church Rooms
St Petroc's Church, South Brent
The Society has granted £9250 to the South Brent PCC towards the cost of re-wiring and installing energy saving LED lighting. This is a part of a much larger Heritage Lottery (& other) funded refurbishment to re-point the tower and improve the church for everyone who uses it. The new lighting was commissioned in Spring 2017.
In February 2017 we provided a further grant of £4000 towards replacing the ancient gas heating boilers with new, much more efficient, boilers. This should save around 6 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
The LED lighting (at night!) in May 2017
South Brent Village Hall
The Fund's second grant was to the South Brent Village Hall Committee to install a 10kW PV system on the south facing roof of the 100 year old main hall. Installed by Beco of Totnes, the system went live at 12.30pm on Friday 1st July 2016.
South Brent Village Hall, 1st July 2016.
Old School Centre PV
In December 2015 the Society awarded the South Brent Old School Community Centre a grant for the installation of 3.4kWp PV system on the roof of the School House. This is one of a number of measures the Old School Centre has made to this building to save energy, and is the first project the SBCEF has been able to support.
School House PV panels enjoying some sunshine in April 2016.
