Electronic displays for solar generation

Electronic displays for solar generation

Organisation behind the project

Based in Oldham, Oldham Community Power (OCP) is a community benefit society which aims to generate electricity from renewable sources located at council-owned and community buildings for the benefit of the environment and the local community. The society is contracted to install solar panels on community buildings in return for providing electricity at reduced prices.

At the same time the society aims to provide an educational service on the need for, and benefits of, sustainable energy.

Background and detailed description of the project

The aim of the project was to install electronic displays at four local schools which already have solar panels installed. The displays are designed to provide information about the solar panels and the energy they generate, which helps engage the children and the local community on energy issues. The solar generation on the schools is owned by OCP and therefore the community.

By extending the project to engage with the school children, the project set out to deliver extra benefit to the community by raising awareness of energy issues, climate change and the benefits of installing renewable energy sources such as solar power.

In 2018, with support from an Oldham-based IT consultancy and a grant from Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, OCP installed a large digital display at Beever Street School. The screen relays information about the electricity generated from the school’s solar panels to the school children and the local community and is available online. The £3,000 funding for this project was used to replicate this service at four additional schools and a community building in the Oldham area.

The displays serve as a constant reminder of climate change, the importance of sustainable energy and the dramatic shift taking place in the energy market. They also help to promote the benefits of community energy schemes, where electricity is generated and used locally for the benefit of the environment and the local community.

OCP have so far delivered two lessons to 60 children at Beever Street School to help the children understand how the solar panels can help tackle climate change.

Project partners

To deliver the project, OCP worked with a number of partners including the local IT consultancy, the staff and pupils of the schools concerned, Front Screen and Raspberry Pi Zero for the purchase of IT hardware.

Where to go for further information

For more information on our community and local energy strategy visit our strategy page, or to find out more about the work of OCP visit their website.