UK community raises over £640,000 for first community-owned solar battery at Ray Valley Solar Park
azocleantech.comA community energy group in Oxfordshire has raised more than £640,000 from 270 investors to build the UK's first community-owned solar battery. The battery will be installed at Ray Valley Solar Park, one of the largest community-owned solar sites in the country. The project aims to capture surplus solar power that would otherwise be wasted and store it for use during peak demand, reducing carbon emissions and increasing revenue for local sustainability projects. The battery is expected to save around 809 MWh of clean electricity per year and cut an additional 102 tons of carbon emissions annually. The total cost is £1.8 million, with community investment covering part of that and loans covering the rest. The share offer is open until June 26, 2026, with investments starting at £100 and match funding available from partner organizations.