Film screening in Stroud highlights power of solar energy projects

Nailsworth town councillor and environment committee chair Shelley Rider is writing monthly columns on green living.

POWER Station – A film for the people

Imagine if you could generate your own electricity – for free.

That’s what a project in Walthamstow in London has done, all documented in the film Power Station.

This was shown as part of the Stroud Film Festival to a packed audience of over 80 people at Stroud Brewery.

The documentary shows how a street in Walthamstow had the vision to install solar panels on the residents’ houses, giving them free energy to use within their homes.

Thirty per cent of homes were reporting difficulty paying their energy bills, and two community champions took on the task of tackling this by having the vision: ‘Every building should become a power station’.

They set about signing people up for the project by knocking on doors and persuading people that by community action this could work.

They raised money for the solar panels by selling artworks, attracting crowdfunding and releasing a Christmas hit song with the local school.

They raised over £100,000 by sleeping on the roof in a double bed in winter, which attracted a lot of press attention.

And then the installation of the panels happened, with Octopus, the energy company, stepping in to help.

A street celebration was held and the street was adorned with 10,000 sunflowers grown from seed.

A happy end to all of their hard work and inspiration.

The film shows how fun and imagination can work wonders if coupled with community spirit – it was well worth a watch.

As part of the event, we discussed what to do in Stroud with a presentation from SACEN, Stroud Area Community Energy Network.

They are looking for public sites, such as village halls and community buildings, in which to install solar as part of the energy mix.

They work alongside Gloucestershire Community Energy Co–Op, which provides funds for installation in exchange for leasing of the roof space for 25 years.

This has been successfully installed in Minchinhampton School, and they now benefit from reduced energy bills all year round.

For more information, visit: together-we-power.org or email admin@transitionstroud.org.