Overview:

Recent developments in the Department for Education’s (DfE) approach to school solar projects have prompted renewed discussion about the legal arrangements that can support rooftop solar installations. We would like to use this opportunity to explore the option of using licence agreements for rooftop solar as an alternative to leases, looking at the differences between the two approaches and where each may be most appropriate.

As the DfE develops a standardised Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and lease model for schools, some projects are stalled. In the meantime, licence agreements may offer an alternative route in certain circumstances, providing schools and community energy organisations with additional flexibility.

Join us for a masterclass to learn more about licence agreements, their potential role in rooftop solar projects, and how they compare with lease-based approaches.

We will be hearing from community energy practitioners Mike Smyth (Schools Energy Co-op) and Sonya Bedford (Spencer West) to help you move your solar projects ahead. 

What we’ll cover:

• Licence vs. lease: Key legal and commercial differences, when a licence is applicable, and what it enables.
• The legal foundation: What specific arguments and legal regulations to quote to convince schools, local authorities, and the DfE.
• Practical implementation: How to convert a lease project into a licence project and navigate potential risks or pushback.
• Resources and templates: Where to find template licences, how to brief your lawyer, and short legal summary statements for decision-makers.
• Q&A: Come along with any questions for our speakers.

Speakers:

• Mike Smyth is the Chair of Energy4All, The Schools’ Energy Co-operative, and Wey Valley Solar Schools, and a former law partner at Lawrence Graham. Mike has extensive hands-on experience using licences for school solar installations.
• Sonya Bedford is a Partner Solicitor at Spencer West LLP and a legal expert in community energy. She is a director for multiple community energy organisations and has been actively involved in recent consultations with the DfE and NISTA on draft standardised PPAs.

This event is part of the Energy Learning Network:

• The Energy Learning Network is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
• The network is a partnership between climate solutions charity Ashden, the Centre for Sustainable Energy, and leading community energy bodies in every UK nation: Community Energy England, Community Energy Scotland, Community Energy Wales and Northern Ireland’s Action Renewables. The partnership is working with collaborators from across the community energy sector and beyond.
• The Energy Learning Network is powering forward community energy projects across the UK. It brings together collaborators across the UK to strengthen the community energy sector. We support people and organisations to take action on energy in their communities, while working with councils, stakeholders and other enablers to create the conditions for community energy to grow and thrive.