RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND
New - Press release March 2026
The club has made a significant move towards becoming carbon neutral by installing 28 solar panels on the clubhouse roof and canopy in January 2026. This achievement would not have been possible without grant funding from East Devon District Council via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Ottery St Mary Town Council and County Councillor Jess Bailey’s Locality Fund for which we are most grateful. Club members have also contributed over £6,000 from a number of innovative fund-raising events.
By reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, we are significantly reducing our carbon footprint and securing the financial viability of the club for years to come. It is predicted that the system, installed by local contractor Flex ECO, will save some 4 tons of CO2 a year.
The next stage in the drive to sustainability is to replace inefficient storage heaters in the clubhouse at the end of the playing season. Taken together, these two initiatives will define us as a truly environmentally friendly sports club.
Other activities in our journey towards sustainability include:
WHY did we do this?
Our inaugural members built the foundations by constructing the green that we are so lucky to play on, the next generation built the clubhouse and the changing facilities. We identified an opportunity to futureproof the club - embracing renewable energy and, at the same time, helping to save the environment.
You will know from your own bills how prices have risen. We currently pay the equivalent of half of our members' annual subscriptions on heating and lighting costs. Now is the time for the club to invest in solar energy to offset our spiralling electricity costs.
This will enhance our ‘green credentials’ and will significantly reduce the amount of money that we have to pay out on a yearly basis, enabling us to invest in projects that directly benefit the members.
WHO was involved?
Club Chairman Carl, our Treasurer, Peter, and Site Manager Melvin have been asked by the committee to manage the project. Several contractors were invited to conduct a feasibility study (to recommend where the panels should best be placed) then submit designs and quotations to install the solar panels.
The preferred solution is for the panels to be placed on the clubhouse rear canopy and tiled section of the roof, in parallel with a powerful storage battery.
WHAT did it cost us?
The estimated cost was in the region of £22,000 - a sizeable sum, but one that will show visible savings from year one. The outlay will be returned within five to six years, after which we will be 'in profit' from a combination of reduced bills and the sale of excess electricity to the Grid
What happens if we exceed our target? Any extra funds we raise will be used to improve our carbon footprint further by, for example, installing new radiators in the clubhouse.
HOW did it happen?
A Renewable Energy Fund (REF) was set up, with a target of £25,000, which we hoped to reach within a few months - we achieved this aim
You might ask how?
Firstly, we applied to a number of organisations for grants towards the costs - for example, East Devon District Council and Sports England both operate schemes that support green energy projects. Although there was no guarantee of success, we believe that we met the selection criteria that they demanded.
The club Committee also looked at a number of initiatives to augment the grants, centring on a fundraising strategy that involves seeking grants from alternative external organisations, encouraging members to contribute through long-term membership or direct pledges, engaging members with Autumn and Winter social events.
The club has made a significant move towards becoming carbon neutral by installing 28 solar panels on the clubhouse roof and canopy in January 2026. This achievement would not have been possible without grant funding from East Devon District Council via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Ottery St Mary Town Council and County Councillor Jess Bailey’s Locality Fund for which we are most grateful. Club members have also contributed over £6,000 from a number of innovative fund-raising events.
By reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, we are significantly reducing our carbon footprint and securing the financial viability of the club for years to come. It is predicted that the system, installed by local contractor Flex ECO, will save some 4 tons of CO2 a year.
The next stage in the drive to sustainability is to replace inefficient storage heaters in the clubhouse at the end of the playing season. Taken together, these two initiatives will define us as a truly environmentally friendly sports club.
Other activities in our journey towards sustainability include:
- Appointment of a maintenance and sustainability manager
- Car sharing among members to and from matches
- Recycling of equipment and clothing
- Careful monitoring of waste disposal.
WHY did we do this?
Our inaugural members built the foundations by constructing the green that we are so lucky to play on, the next generation built the clubhouse and the changing facilities. We identified an opportunity to futureproof the club - embracing renewable energy and, at the same time, helping to save the environment.
You will know from your own bills how prices have risen. We currently pay the equivalent of half of our members' annual subscriptions on heating and lighting costs. Now is the time for the club to invest in solar energy to offset our spiralling electricity costs.
This will enhance our ‘green credentials’ and will significantly reduce the amount of money that we have to pay out on a yearly basis, enabling us to invest in projects that directly benefit the members.
WHO was involved?
Club Chairman Carl, our Treasurer, Peter, and Site Manager Melvin have been asked by the committee to manage the project. Several contractors were invited to conduct a feasibility study (to recommend where the panels should best be placed) then submit designs and quotations to install the solar panels.
The preferred solution is for the panels to be placed on the clubhouse rear canopy and tiled section of the roof, in parallel with a powerful storage battery.
WHAT did it cost us?
The estimated cost was in the region of £22,000 - a sizeable sum, but one that will show visible savings from year one. The outlay will be returned within five to six years, after which we will be 'in profit' from a combination of reduced bills and the sale of excess electricity to the Grid
What happens if we exceed our target? Any extra funds we raise will be used to improve our carbon footprint further by, for example, installing new radiators in the clubhouse.
HOW did it happen?
A Renewable Energy Fund (REF) was set up, with a target of £25,000, which we hoped to reach within a few months - we achieved this aim
You might ask how?
Firstly, we applied to a number of organisations for grants towards the costs - for example, East Devon District Council and Sports England both operate schemes that support green energy projects. Although there was no guarantee of success, we believe that we met the selection criteria that they demanded.
The club Committee also looked at a number of initiatives to augment the grants, centring on a fundraising strategy that involves seeking grants from alternative external organisations, encouraging members to contribute through long-term membership or direct pledges, engaging members with Autumn and Winter social events.
