A pioneering solar rooftop project in Dunblane has earned top honours at an industry event, with the installation estimated to save the community centre around £9,000 a year in energy costs.
The special panels were fitted on the roof of the Dunblane Centre this summer, secured through the work of local firm GreenPower. The savings come at a time of surging bills amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Award win at Solar & Storage Live UK
The project picked up the ‘Alan Clark Award for Local/Community Energy’ at this year’s Solar & Storage Live UK event in Birmingham.
GreenPower is owned by Julie and Rob Forrest, who live in Dunblane. The couple presented the panels investment as a gift to help meet the ongoing maintenance costs of the Centre.
Community impact and recognition
The valued asset and community space was built from funds donated to the town from around the world after the tragedy at Dunblane Primary School in 1996.
Jenny Stirton, Chair of Trustees at the Dunblane Centre, who was present at the Birmingham event to collect the award, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to see the project recognised in this way.
“The extraordinary generosity has made a lasting difference to the Dunblane Centre. The significant savings we’re making on our energy bills are being reinvested directly back into the community, helping us maintain our building, supporting our affordable activities and reducing our carbon footprint.
“As a charity that receives no council funding, this project has strengthened our long-term sustainability, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made it possible.”
Recognition in 30th year since tragedy
Julie Forrest, GreenPower Director, said: “We are delighted to see the project pick up this award, and in this, the 30th year since the tragedy in Dunblane, it is a fitting moment to see such recognition for such a positive project making a difference to the lives of people in the community.
“The panels will help to reduce the environmental impact of the centre in a sustainable way and we are delighted that the initiative has been awarded one of the biggest awards in the UK solar calendar.”
Matt Shaw, director at Lynx Sustainable Solutions who installed the panels at cost price, added: “It was a lovely project to be involved with, and we are delighted it has been recognised in this way.”
