Hackney council has given the green light to a solar power initiative that will pave the way for more projects in the future.
Hackney Council granted a twenty-year roof lease for the Banister House Solar Co-Operative’s project earlier this month.
Fifteen apprentices from Banister House estate, aged between 14 and 21, have been planning Hackney’s first solar energy co-operative since April alongside Repowering London and Hackney Energy, a not-for-profit organisation specialising in renewable energy projects.
Millie Darling, Co-founder of Hackney Energy and a director for Banister House Solar Co-operative said Hackney Council was viewing the initiative as a pilot, and this latest milestone may incentivise future projects.
She said: “If it goes well we should hopefully be able to do it on other estates and give other young people the same opportunity.”
“We are now also welcoming anyone on Banister Estate who wishes to get involved with the installation of the solar panels.”
After learning about energy efficiency and the co-operative business model, the apprentices are spreading the world in the wider community. On Monday, they spoke in Parliament at the launch of the Energy Bill of Rights, a proposal to end fuel poverty, about the benefits of solar powe. Last week they also attended a round-table with investment bankers about prospects for young people.
Future projects would give even more teenagers similar opportunities.
Current apprentice Victoria Omobuwajo said: “We’ve run a solar panel-making workshop for kids and have been educating them about how renewable energy can bring power to their schools. They’ve been really excited.”
“We’ve also been busy working to get panels in local buildings, schools, hospitals, community centres, and are trying to meet councillors about it.”
Regular meetings and forums have also enabled opportunities for locals who are not apprentices to participate. Leila Fortunato, who has been a Banister Estate resident for 18 years, said “I used to hate where I lived and wanted to move, but couldn’t for financial reasons.
“Now, seeing that I can make a difference, I actually enjoy being where I am.”
