Solar power offers the biggest, best, and cheapest means of generating clean green power locally. For the January meeting of the Coventry Society, we have one of the region’s chief proponents of green solar energy.
Tony McNally is Managing Director of Climate Change Solutions Ltd. This company was established in 2003 at Coventry Techno Centre to support and promote the move to a low carbon future.
Tony is also co-founding Director of Heart of England Community Energy, a community benefit society which owns one of the largest community solar farms in the UK.
The 15 megawatt array just outside Stratford-upon-Avon has been generating electricity from the sun since 2016. It is made up of around 55,000 solar producing enough energy to supply 4,500 home with green energy.
The government’s plans to decarbonise the UK electricity system calls for an 500% increase in solar power within a decade. The West Midlands as the traditional powerhouse of Britain, has a vital role to play in meeting the 2030 Climate Emergency imperative. And right now, solar can also offer an alternative to the hike in grid prices, which have increased the cost of doing business and driven many people into fuel poverty.
The solar mapping of 1/3rd of Coventry’s large south facing and flat roofs, together with car parks demonstrate the capacity for 288,000 solar panel and projects 1 million for the whole city.
Now is a moment of opportunity for the West Midlands to play a role in addressing the concurrent threats of climate change and the energy crisis.
Tony will be talking on the subject of “West Midlands – Bright Solar Future.” After Tony’s introduction, there will be a discussion about how to bring about a low carbon future for the city.
Join us on Monday 9th January 2023 at 7.30 p.m. at the United Reformed Church, 10 Warwick Road.