The pace of life for HKD Energy Directors is really heating up now! We’re getting everything ready for the launch of our first community energy project on Saturday 8 November 2014, 2.30 pm at Downlands School. The launch event will highlight the community as well as financial benefits of putting 80 kW of solar panels* on the school and sports centre roofs, generating low-price electricity for the school to use, lowering their carbon footprint, and creating a project the whole community can support. Speakers will include Howard Johns, one of the country’s leading voices on community energy, and Norman Baker MP, as well as presentations about our project by us and by Downlands students, along with opportunities to ask questions.
We hope you will be able to join us!
We’re very pleased that we finally have our registration approved by the Financial Conduct Authority – just about 5 months after we started the process. So we can announce that HKD Energy Limited is a Community Benefit Society, registered with the FCA as number 7021.
Our business plan is complete, and we have selected Solar Resources, a local company based in Haywards Heath, as our preferred installer for the Downlands Project. Solar Resources have installed a solar project at Warden Park School and other schools and colleges, as well as many commercial and community premises across Sussex.
We’ve been talking about HKD Energy and Downlands to local people at events like the Ditchling Apple Day, and have given briefings to Hurstpierpoint Parish Council, Hassocks Parish Council, and the Downlands School governors. We’ve been working with the Downlands Eco Club, a group of enthusiastic students who are ready to start the ‘solar revolution’. We’ve organised a competition for Downlands students on this theme, with prize-winners to be announced at the launch event.
At the launch day on 8 November we’ll ask for individuals to support the project by investing in shares. We will have full details of the investment opportunities and income tax relief available as well as risks for potential investors. These documents will also be on our website if you can’t make it to the launch event. Thanks for your interest and support.
* Originally this meant 320 panels, however the technology is improving and now the total is 266 panels, each rated at 300 watts output.
Chris Handel, Chair John Willis, Secretary
Juliet Merrifield, Treasurer Darren Berman, Director
Bec Hanley, Director