On 8 July, Energise South Downs, a non-profit community energy co-operative, will launch its first share offer (community investment opportunity) to raise £302,000 for three rooftop solar installations in Hampshire. The projects aim to generate 270,000 kWh of clean electricity annually – saving around 54 tonnes of carbon in the first year alone, the equivalent of planting 2,100 trees. The share offer will be hosted by ethical investment platform, Ethex.
The installations will take place at Hayling Island Sailing Club, Britannia Reeves in Petersfield, and Energique in Alton. The electricity produced will be used on-site, lowering energy bills and reducing reliance on the national grid. Any surplus will be fed into the grid, strengthening local energy resilience. In the case of Britannia Reeves, a low energy user, the excess energy will be used by neighbouring Broadway Park, a community of over 50s, reducing their energy.
Shares cost £1 each, and anyone can invest from £100 to £30,000. Investors will then become members of ESD and given the opportunity to be consulted on key decisions regarding the organisation, including how surplus income is spent within the local community. As a Community Benefit Society, Energise South Downs operates on a one member, one vote basis, regardless of investment size.
ESD will use the money invested to buy and install the solar panels on three buildings in Hampshire. We will then sell the electricity back to the host business or local community at a fair price. A significant percentage of the income from electricity sales will go into a community fund, while the rest will be used to repay your investment – with a target return rate of up to 5.5%. At the end of the term, the panels will be signed over to the host business, providing them with free solar generation for the remainder of the panels’ lifespan.
“This is local power in local hands,” said Catriona Cockburn, Founder and CEO of Energise South Downs. “Our share offer gives people the chance to take practical climate action, support their community, and earn a fair return - while accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels.”
On Tuesday 8 July, ESD will launch the share offer with a free event at Churcher’s College Senior School, Petersfield. The evening will feature a screening of We the Power, Patagonia’s inspiring film on Europe’s citizen-led energy movement, along with talks from local sustainability leaders and a Q&A about the share offer. Free tickets are available here.
Funds raised will cover equipment, installation, development costs, and campaign delivery via ethical investment platform Ethex. The share offer carries the Community Shares Standard Mark, ensuring transparency and best practice for investors. “This is about more than solar panels—it’s about local empowerment,” said Cockburn. “We’re inviting people across the region to join us in building a cleaner, fairer energy future.”
The offer opens on 8 July 2025 and closes at 5pm on 30 September 2025, or earlier if fully subscribed.