Local energy for Selsey and Sidlesham
About Us
The Ferry Farm community solar project, between Selsey and Sidlesham, West Sussex has been generating electricity and income from the sun since June 2016. Surplus income from the solar farm is used to support local community organisations and projects.
Selsey and Sidlesham and surrounding areas spend almost £20 million per year on energy, almost all of which leaves the local economy. The Ferry Farm community solar project is a step towards energy being generated and owned locally, with the value retained in the local economy.
Local Energy from the Sun
The community solar farm is made up of around 19,000 panels expected to generate over 5.4 million kWh of green energy every year for 25 years or more. That’s enough electricity to power 1,300 homes!
19,000 solar panels already making electricity from the sun.
The solar farm earns income from the sale of electricity and a Feed-in Tariff which provides an inflation linked income for 20 years.
How We Serve Local Communities
Surplus income generated by the solar farm, after operating and finance costs and reserves, is used to support Ferry Farm Community Solar’s community purpose and since 2016 we have supported an energy and fuel poverty advice service which supports local households struggling to pay their bills, provided over £85,000 of funding to support community projects in Selsey and Sidlesham via a community grant scheme and helped fund energy efficiency measures for local community buildings.
Most recently, in response to the Coronavirus outbreak, we allocated £40,000 to a Coronavirus Crisis Fund to support organisations helping those in the local community facing hardship due to the pandemic. Coronavirus has reminded us all of the importance of community, with local charities and community groups playing a key role in supporting people affected by the crisis. This crisis fund has helped several charities, community groups, schools, local businesses and even a charity fund raising 6yr old boy, help those most in need in the local community.
We expect to generate at least £2million over the solar farm’s 30-year operating life to support local community initiatives.
In recognition of the support given to the local communities, Ferry Farm Community Solar were awarded “Highly Commended” in the Community category at this year’s British Renewable Energy Awards 2020. Read about more about this here.
The grant fund is managed by Selsey Community Forum. Please visit the Selsey Community Forum website to find about out how to apply for grant funding and previous awards made.
Ferry Farm Community Solar Limited
Ferry Farm Community Solar Ltd is governed by a board of voluntary directors and professionally managed by Communities for Renewables CIC.
If you would be interested in getting involved in the governance of the society or to discuss opportunities for community organisations and projects to benefit, please get in touch.
To view the Rules of the Society, AGM minutes, and other relevant documents please click the button below.
Meet the Team
Jake Burnyeat
Ben Cooper
