Welcome to Wey Valley Solar Schools Energy Co-operative

Since 2011 we have been installing solar panels on schools and community buildings throughout Surrey. In 2024 alone our member schools collectively saved at least £80,000 on their electricity bills.

Staff and pupils at Rodborough School

Wey Valley Solar Schools Energy Co-operative (Wey Valley Solar for short) is a renewable energy co-operative set up by people from the towns of Guildford and Godalming in Surrey because we wanted to take some positive action to combat climate change.

We put community-funded solar panels on schools and community buildings in the local area. Founded in 2011, we now have generation capacity of just over 765kW over eleven sites. We are run by a team of unpaid volunteer directors with administrative support from Energy4All.

For our investor members, we provide an attractive interest rate and the knowledge that they are making an ethical investment in clean energy generation as well as helping schools reduce their own costs and tackle climate change plans.

Find out more about our co-op

Where have we installed solar PV panels?

What's in it for the schools?

renewable energy discounted to the school at a fixed price for the duration of the contract. Fixing the price helps schools manage and reduce their energy costs
a share of any surplus generated by the co-op which is distributed annually to schools
a genuine contribution towards the reduction of a school's CO2 emissions
monitors for each school showing the renewable energy their panels are generating – engaging pupils and teachers alike
a supportive not for profit partner which understands the particular demands on schools and with the flexibility to adjust to changing estate plans
full remote monitoring of panel output to identify and rectify any problems or faults with installations so panels keep producing
maintenance and operational support from the Co-operative's experienced contractors
panels given to the schools at no cost at the end of the contract

Would you like to help us grow Wey Valley Solar?

If you would like to discuss whether your school or community organisation would benefit from working with Wey Valley Solar then you can read more about our approach, then get in touch using our contact form.
If you are interested in becoming an investor member then read more here about future share offer opportunities.
If you would like to help grow the organisation as a volunteer or a Board member then please get in touch.

Find out what Andrew Smith, headteacher at Rodborough School in Milford (2011), has to say about the installation of WVSS solar panels as part of the school's sustainability agenda:

Wey Valley Solar is a member of