A significant milestone has been reached in the development of the £2million community football ground at Davie Park in Perthshire, with the installation of more than 100 solar panels on the spectator stand roof.
The newly-installed state-of-the-art solar panels and battery storage system are expected to greatly reduce both carbon emissions and daily running costs for the facility, which is operated by the Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Football Trust (BRCFT).
This latest phase of the project was made possible through generous funding from the Scottish Government's Community And Renewables Energy Scheme (CARES), delivered by Local Energy Scotland in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust, and SSE's Perth and Kinross Sustainable Development Fund.
Sandy Thomson from BRCFT expressed his satisfaction with the project's completion. He said: "Installation of solar panels and battery storage is another powerful addition to the facilities at Davie Park, and has been a long-held aspiration of the Trust. Thanks to the support of Local Energy Scotland and SSE, we have been able to deliver that project, which will help us reduce our carbon emissions and our day-to-day running costs. This in turn ensures that more of the Trust's financial resources can be used to advance the development of grassroots football in our community, making a significant difference to what we can achieve."
Thomson highlighted the community-focused nature of BRCFT: "BRCFT is a volunteer-run club with community at its heart, working towards the goal of making football accessible and fun for people of all ages and abilities. We aim to reach people through football, breaking down barriers, encouraging active lifestyles, and bringing people from all walks of life together."
He added: "Everyone has a role to play in achieving net zero, and CARES and SSE's Perth and Kinross Sustainable Development Fund have contributed hugely to allowing us to make a positive and lasting social impact in Blairgowrie and Rattray. We're proud to be part of the many initiatives supported by the funding, which has ensured that the future is bright for BRCFT - let's hope the Scottish men's team has an equally bright future at the World Cup this month!"
The installation of the solar panels and battery storage unit was carried out by locally-based business Ericht Electrical. Gary McLagan from Ericht Electrical commented: "We were delighted to be contracted for this project and to work with a local community organisation to deliver what is a cutting-edge system that will generate significant savings for the Trust in the years to come. This is one of the newest products on the market with an efficiency rate of some 95 per cent and is one of the biggest battery systems that we have installed to date. The system will produce around 45,000 kw hours a year and will export power back to the National Grid in the summer, generating income for the Trust. We're looking forward to continuing to work with the Trust and monitoring how the system performs."
The Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme supports communities to engage with, participate in and benefit from the energy transition to net zero emissions. CARES is managed by Local Energy Scotland and offers a range of financial support to community energy projects.
Isla Vandevoorde, CARES Development Officer – North Highlands, Western Isles & Skye, said: "We're delighted to have supported Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Football Trust in bringing their renewable energy ambitions for Davie Park to life, thanks to funding from the CARES Community Buildings Fund. This investment will help reduce running costs and enable the Trust to focus on what matters most - delivering valuable services to the local community."
The SSE Community Benefit Funds support communities across the UK and Ireland, helping to enhance lives, retain young talent, and build stronger, more resilient communities. SSE's Perth and Kinross Sustainable Development Fund supports projects in the Perth and Kinross Local Authority area that will create opportunities for education and employment; empower communities to become more resilient and create sustainable places through stimulating meaningful regeneration.
Sarah Marshall from SSE said: "The BRCFT facility at Davie Park is already one of the best in Tayside and Fife and is busy throughout the year with people from five to 85 years old all enjoying football. It is a real community hub and we were therefore delighted to be able to support this latest stage in its development by contributing towards the costs of the new solar panel and battery storage system which will make a real difference to the Trust and the community it serves."
The ground at Davie Park is the home of Blairgowrie Junior FC and the headquarters for all levels of football in the town, including a number of youth teams for both girls and boys, a women's team, an over 35s team and walking football sessions, providing people of all ages with an opportunity to get involved. There are currently nearly 400 members of teams affiliated with Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Football Club, a number which is growing every year.
For further information, including football session times and how to book the facility, see www.brcft.org.uk.
