How-to Guide
The Guide to Community Solar on Council Assets
Overcoming barriers to local authority and community energy partnerships
This guide offers a framework to local officers and councillors on how to facilitate community-owned solar projects, by providing a set of editable resources that councils can use to kick off and expedite the process of adopting a supportive strategy, and to deal with the main legal and procurement-related barriers that are often raised.
Written by Dr. Rachel Coxcoon of Climate Guide. In partnership with Community Energy Pathways, UK100 and Community Energy England. Funded by the Greater South East Net Zero Hub.
The Guide to Community Solar on Council Assets
Local authorities can access the full collections of templates and resources on Net Zero Go.
How Your Council Works: A Guide for Community Energy Groups
Download (PDF, 973KB) How Your Council Works: A Guide for Community Energy Groups
This guide explains the different types of council and what assets each owns, what Local Government Reorganisation means for community energy, and which officers and councillors have the power to get your project approved.
The Guide to Community Solar on Council Assets
Download (PDF, 3.8MB) The Guide to Community Solar on Council Assets
A toolkit for council officers and councillors on enabling community-owned solar on council buildings and land, with decision-making templates, answers to common legal and procurement barriers, a partnership assessment framework and case studies.
More resources
There are lots more useful resources for local authorities on our Local authorities and community energy how to page.