ABOUT US
Test Source Community Energy (TSCE) is a registered cooperative (a Community Benefit Society) which aims to develop, own and facilitate renewable energy installations for the benefit of the community of Overton, Hampshire and the surrounding area (the community).
We aim to:
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Reduce the community's carbon footprint
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Research and secure sustainable sources of renewable energy for the community’s use
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Promote environmental awareness and energy efficiency
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Create a model for other Hampshire communities to use
HOW DID IT ALL START?
At its meeting on 11th September 2019 Overton Parish Council declared a climate emergency and agreed to form a separate sub-committee to take this forward. In October 2019 Sustainable Overton was born and over the last two years has been involved with a number of projects in the village including a nappy library, a repair cafe, the 'Overton Cup' and the 'Overton Bag'. A number of committees were also started including the Energy Group.
Initially the group was planning to encourage the owners of all community buildings within the village to install rooftop PV. However it soon became clear that none of the halls used enough electricity for this to be viable. Using a mapping programme, the group started looking at buildings that might be suitable for PV in the wider parish. Initially, five sites were shortlisted for consideration which enabled the group to make an application for a Stage 1 feasibility grant from the Rural Community Energy Fund in November 2020.
The group found out that it had been successful in obtaining a grant in February 2021 and has since been investigating the five sites in further detail.
MEET THE TEAM
Our team is made up entirely of volunteers - we have expertise in community energy, renewable energy regulation, heat pumps, communications, PR, finance and running a business. And we are all passionate about taking action locally.
Lovely to meet face-to-face at last - the Test Source Community Energy team meets in the White Hart, Overton - from left to right - Alison, Tom, Bob, Laura, Jane, Claire, Martin, Matt and Steve by Zoom. And not forgetting Tania, who is not in the photograph
IMPORTANT STUFF
The rules of Test Source Community Energy Limited (8714) registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014