'We can put all our focus on caring for the animals’ says Sussex charity after slashing energy bills

A busy animal welfare charity in Sussex says that they can “focus on our animals” now they have slashed their energy bills by installing solar panels.

Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare in Ringmer has 415 animals on the site, including 13 dogs, 17 cats, 15 rabbits and 167 terrapins, and is now harnessing the power of the sun to keep them warm and comfortable.

The centre had 208 panels fitted on the roof of its horse barn this summer and Head of Animal Welfare Miriam Dowding says it will allow them to plan ahead as prices become more volatile.

“They provide about 10 to 15 per cent of our total electricity,” she says. “This means we don’t have to worry about spending our vital funds on rising energy costs and instead we can focus on our animals.”

Raystede supports pet owners and animals from a huge area of Sussex. Demand has been growing for their services to rehome unwanted pets or rescued animals: in 2025/26, Raystede was asked to take in 4,621 animals.

“We are asked to take thousands more each year than we are actually able to help and this increases every year,” continues Miriam.

“We are asked to take everything from dogs and cats to ponies and terrapins – you name it, we are asked to take them, and we will try to assist as many animals as we can.

“We try to find new homes for all the animals that we’re able to and if we can’t, then we will provide sanctuary for them as long as they’re with us.”

There are currently 15 horses and ponies, seven donkeys and even two turkeys at its base at The Broyle.

“It costs £6,500 to run Raystede every day: that’s keeping the lights on, paying our staff’s wages, food and heating,” she adds.

“Having our solar panels helps to reduce our energy costs and this means we can use our limited funds to care for our animals. Often animals arrive in poor health and need lots of medical attention and rehab to get them ready for their forever homes and this means we can just focus on that.

“It is really important for us to focus on the health of as many animals as we can. Having the panels means that we can plan ahead.”

The solar panels were installed in a partnership with OVESCO, a non-profit community energy organisation who bring Sussex residents together to invest in projects like this. For Miriam, the approach from OVESCO to provide the panels was very welcome: “We didn’t have to pay anything upfront for them which is really important for us. Like all charities, we are struggling financially so this opportunity was really good for us.”

With a sign clearly explaining the purpose of the panels, it’s helping to make visitors, staff and volunteers more aware too.

“We are very energy-conscious as we are very aware of how much it costs to run Raystede, so whether that is doing extra printing or turning on a heat lamp for an animal, we are always aware of the impact of that. Having the solar panels is really good to put that at the forefront of people’s minds. Yes, it’s saving us money but it’s also helping the planet as well which is always a win.”

Chris Rowland, CEO of OVESCO, says: “Community energy is about putting local people and organisations at the heart of the move towards cleaner energy – generating power locally, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and keeping the benefits within our communities.”

“We've been working with Raystede to help them reduce their energy use and carbon emissions, so it felt like a natural fit for them to be part of our current community share offer, which is enabling the charity to generate clean solar power on site, while giving local people the opportunity to invest in renewable energy projects that benefit their own community.”

To find out more about OVESCO’s latest round of investment which closes on 31 October, go to www.ethex.org.uk/invest/ovesco-community-shares