Buckingham Golf Club marks one year of green energy with solar installation

Last spring we rolled out further rooftop solar schemes across two more sports clubs in our local community. The first of these was Buckingham Golf Club, which is now celebrating one year of clean, renewable energy. A year on, the project is proving to be a win for the club and its finances, the environment and the local community.

The solar system at Buckingham Golf Club has provided a more affordable and sustainable electricity source, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and offering long-term savings on energy bills. Over the 20-year lifespan of the panels, these savings will be reinvested in grassroots sports, allowing the club to offer more affordable lessons and support local community initiatives.

Antony Moore, a Director at Buckingham Golf Club explained: “We now run two sessions every Saturday which are at a minimal charge and we’ve been able to offer free introductory lessons via the solar generated savings.” 

Buckingham Golf Club ‘solar scorecard’:

Here are some stats from one year of generation.

• Solar capacity: 24 kWp
• Annual energy generated: 21,000 kWh
• Energy used on-site: 18,000 kWh (85%)
• Annual savings: approximately £4,400
• CO₂ saved this year: 4.2 tonnes

To put this into perspective the installation generated enough energy to boil 210,000 cups of tea or to charge an electric car for 84,000 miles (that’s 3.3 trips around the Earth!). What does this mean for the planet? The carbon savings are huge and over the last 12 months the solar system achieved the same environmental impact as taking 1 petrol car off the road (the average petrol car emits 4.2 tonnes CO₂/year) or planting 190 trees (1 tree absorbs ~22 kg CO₂/year).

Commenting on the wider impact of the installation, Antony Moore, a Director at Buckingham Golf Club said: “The panels certainly had an impact…the initiative sparked further discussions around sustainability.  A number of members have applauded the direction the club is going and a good few were looking at installing solar panels at home.”

About Gawcott Fields Community Solar CIC:

Gawcott Fields Community Solar is a Community Interest Company which runs a 4.17 megawatt solar array between Gawcott and Buckingham. The solar farm is governed by local volunteer directors and run for the benefit of the local community. The solar farm earns income from the sale of electricity and a Feed-in Tariff. Surplus income generated (after operating and finance costs) is then used to provide funding for community organisations and projects in the local area.

This funding was available as part of our Bee Green Grant Fund, which is open to local, community-led, environmentally-focused projects within 5km of the solar farm. For further information on Gawcott Fields Community Solar, the Bee Green Grant Fund or how we can support your community organisation or school with solar installations, please contact: hello@gawcottsolar.co.uk

One of our team members will be in touch to discuss your application and find out more about your project.