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Mill Farm
Wedmore Community Power Co-operativeWedmore is a historic village in Somerset, and although it has roots stretching back to the Iron Age and Roman times, it's an early and incredibly proud adopter of community-led renewable energy!
Project overview
Wedmore Community Power Co-operative is a Somerset-based community energy group leading the way in local, sustainable power generation.
Their work demonstrates how renewable energy projects can be successfully delivered in partnership with local communities while creating long-term environmental and economic benefits.
About the project
Launched in 2013, the co-operative’s flagship installation features almost 4,000 ground-mounted solar panels spread across two paddocks in the village. The scheme is a strong example of thoughtful, well-managed land use that balances energy production with agricultural activity.
Impact and Performance
The Co-operative set out to generate as much electricity as possible and as efficiently as possible, reducing the community’s reliance on the National Grid and fossil-fuel-based energy.
The project generates clean electricity from almost 4,000 solar panels connected to the local power grid. This is expected to save around 450 tonnes of CO₂ per year by displacing fossil fuel generation.
In addition, the system produces enough electricity to meet the needs of approximately 300 homes, making a significant contribution to local energy resilience and decarbonisation.
Dual Land Use Innovation
A key strength of the project is its minimal impact on productive farmland. The system was specifically designed with elevated, angled panel structures, allowing sheep to graze freely underneath. This dual-use approach supports ongoing farming activity while generating clean electricity.
Community and Economic Benefit
By integrating agriculture and renewable energy, the project provides local farmers with additional rental income while preserving the productive use of the land. It also ensures that financial value remains within the community through its co-operative structure.
Our Partnership
Through a bespoke Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), we are proud to support Wedmore Community Power Co-operative’s community benefit society. This partnership helps sustain their operations and enables them to continue delivering impactful local energy projects.