St George Community Centre: Creating visible change with solar power

a young mother pushing a pushchair in front of a yellow brick building, with a teal sign that says 'St George Community Centre' in white writing.

St George Community Centre is keeping running costs down thanks to solar energy, ensuring that they’re a sustainable resource for the community in more ways than one. 

An affordable space for the community 

A thriving local centre run by charity St George Community Association, the building is at the heart of St George - hosting everything from activities like yoga to toddler sessions, small business events and private parties. 

Desiring to be a model of good practice, the charity was keen to address their carbon footprint and make the community centre more sustainable. A Carbon Survey from the Mayoral Combined Authority opened up a number of possibilities, with solar panels quickly emerging as the strongest solution. Even better, the project was eligible for a Green Business Grant of just over £4,000 helping to make installation both feasible and fast. 

Delivering the benefits 

The 24 new photovoltaic panels now generate around 8,500kWh of clean energy each year, often providing more than the centre’s daily electricity needs, while cutting almost 2.5 tonnes of carbon emissions. That shift translates into vital cost savings, keeping the centre affordable for the local residents and groups who rely on the space each week. 

The savings we make, because the electricity for the centre is not cheap - will keep prices down as much as possible.

Anthony Meese-Kennedy, Centre Manager 
a mother holding her young baby and showing him a rattle. There is a large foil balloon next to them, in the shape of narwhal
an aerial view of a large building with solar panels on the roof. there are cars parked outside, and lots of trees to one side of the building.

Leading in a visible, meaningful way 

Aside from the immediate impact of the solar panels on their energy usage, they’re also being noticed by the wider community – sparking conversations about sustainability and inspiring others to rethink their energy use. The project has been so successful, the charity is now thinking of future possibilities including replacing their gas boiler and installing a more efficient heating system.  

People walking past comment on the solar panels. It’s really been noticed, and people feel happier using somewhere that’s clearly thinking about its carbon footprint.

Rob Acton-Campbell, Chair of Trustees

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