Look around Preston and you’ll see it everywhere, rooftops on schools, warehouses, offices and public buildings. Most of them sit unused when it comes to energy generation.
But those rooftops represent one of the biggest opportunities we have to create clean, local power.
Solar energy is one of the most accessible and proven forms of renewable energy in the UK. It’s reliable, scalable and increasingly cost-effective. And when combined with a community ownership model, it becomes even more powerful.
At Community Energy Preston (CEP), we’re turning that potential into reality.
Our approach focuses on installing solar panels on large rooftops across the city. These installations generate clean electricity that is used directly by the host building, reducing their reliance on grid energy and lowering their costs.
One of the key advantages of our model is that it requires no upfront capital from the building owner. CEP funds the installation through community investment and manages the entire process, from feasibility and installation to ongoing operation and maintenance.
This removes one of the biggest barriers to adopting solar.
For host organisations, the benefits are clear. They gain access to cheaper, more stable energy prices, reduce their carbon footprint, and demonstrate leadership in sustainability. For many, it also supports wider ESG goals and enhances their reputation within the community.
But the impact doesn’t stop there.
Because these projects are community-owned, the financial benefits are shared. Surplus income generated from selling electricity is reinvested into a community fund. This can be used to support energy efficiency initiatives, tackle fuel poverty or fund future renewable projects.
It’s a model that creates long-term, local value.
Our upcoming project at Preston College is a great example of what this looks like in practice. A large-scale solar installation will generate clean energy for the campus, reduce costs and provide an opportunity for local people to invest in infrastructure within their own city.
This is just the start of a much larger pipeline.
As more organisations come forward with suitable rooftops, the potential to scale community energy in Preston is significant. Each new project builds on the last, increasing capacity, growing the community fund and expanding the number of people involved.
And that’s where the real transformation happens.
Community energy isn’t just about generating electricity. It’s about changing how energy works, shifting from a centralised system to one that is local, democratic and focused on long-term benefit.
It also creates opportunities for local businesses and supply chains, supporting economic growth alongside environmental progress.
For Preston, this represents a chance to lead. To show how a city can take control of its energy future, reduce emissions and deliver meaningful benefits to its residents.
The rooftops are already there. The technology is proven. The model works.
Now it’s about bringing people together to make it happen.
If you’re a business or organisation with a suitable roof, we’d love to hear from you. And if you’re a resident interested in supporting local renewable energy, you can become a member, invest in a project or simply help spread the word.
Because the future of energy in Preston isn’t somewhere else, it’s right here above us.