An environmental initiative to install solar panels on the roof of Stoke Newington School launched on 20 October at the Mildmay Club by Stokey Energy.
The organisation introduced itself to the community at the launch. It was founded by “local resident[s] and climate concerned citizen[s]”, says volunteer Sara Edmonds, and it has set out its plans to make Hackney greener.
Lead volunteer Dan Epstein describes sustainability as “really investable” and said the surge in gas prices means it was “imperative” the community act now. Edmonds explained that residents could use Stokey Energy to help them retrofit their homes to make them more green, claiming it would be the “best antidote to climate anxiety”.
Stokey Energy initially received £19,000 in funding for the school solar panel project from the London Community Energy Fund. Started in 2017 by Mayor Sadiq Khan, the LCEF gives financial support to get community energy projects up and running. With the panels installed, Stoke Newington School will now generate 25% of its own electricity. Headmistress Zehra Jaffer explained that the panels have helped students to be “part of a solution”, and teacher Ed Hill thanked Stokey Energy for “giving us an incredible teaching tool”.
Hackney Council was also present at the event. Lucja Paulinksa, Head of Operations at Hackney Light and Power, claims the council is determined to retrofit local council-owned buildings and establish more electric vehicle charging points.
The London Community Energy Fund is now open to funding applications for local energy initiatives.
