Fully funded solar panels coming to Langney as community energy programme launches in Eastbourne

Residents in Langney took a step closer to lower energy bills on Thursday evening as a new community solar programme officially launched at St Barnabas United Church and Christian Centre on Kingfisher Drive.

The Solar Powered Communities: Just Transition Programme — delivered by Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative (BHESCo) and Eastbourne ECO Action Network (EEAN) aims to bring fully-funded solar panels and/or battery storage to homes across Langney, at no upfront cost to residents.

Langney residents attended the launch to hear how they could benefit from solar panels and/or battery storage. The event drew the support of local councilors who came to support the programme and to learn more about its potential for social impact.

Funded by the Ofgem Energy Redress Just Transition Scheme, the programme is specifically designed for households that find it hardest to keep up with energy bills. Participants pay nothing upfront, instead, they pay for the electricity their solar panels generate at a rate up to 25% below what their energy supplier charges. BHESCo owns and maintains all systems, meaning residents carry no risk or responsibility for their operation. The programme is open to homeowners, private sector tenants, and social housing tenants alike.

Residents may also be eligible for additional support through the Government's Warm Homes Plan. The programme will signpost households to funding available locally via Warm East Sussex — the county's dedicated energy advice and funding service at warmeastsussex.org.uk/funding.

BHESCo is a Brighton-based energy co-operative with over a decade of experience delivering no-upfront-cost solar and battery storage projects across Sussex. Eastbourne ECO Action Network is a local Community Interest Company that brings Eastbourne residents, businesses and community groups together to tackle climate change and reduce energy costs. The two organisations are combining their expertise for the Solar Powered Communities programme in Langney — BHESCo providing the technical and financial model, EEAN providing the local knowledge and community relationships that ensure the people who most need support hear about it first.

"Langney is exactly why we started this programme. Families here are paying some of the highest energy bills in the region while the solutions that could help them — solar panels, battery storage, cheaper electricity — have always been just out of reach. Tonight that changes. This is clean energy on fair terms, for the people who need it most." — Kayla Ente MBE, CEO & Founder, BHESCo

"This scheme brings much needed investment into Langney, building local resilience and delivering benefits that stay within the community. People are coming together to save money and make the most of cleaner, locally generated energy." —  Jill Shacklock, Director EEAN

The programme aims to support communities in Eastbourne, starting with Langney, by delivering significant and lasting reductions in both energy bills and carbon emissions.

Residents who missed the launch can still register their interest and find out more at https://bhesco.co.uk/eastbourne