OUR MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Shareholder queries, about the park or our co-operative model
The following is a list of our most commonly asked questions. Some are specific to being a shareholder and others relate to the Solar Park or the co-operative model. If you can’t find what you are looking for then please just drop us a line at info@westmillsolar.coop or call us on 01367 610001.
Co-Operative Model Questions
What does it mean that you are a Co-operative?
Cooperatives stand for equality. They mean one member, one vote, no matter how many shares are owned. They also mean that profits are shared by the members so when the cooperative does well, the members do well. Owning shares in Westmill Solar Co-operative automatically makes you a member of the co-operative – but there is no requirement to vote or become involved if you don’t want to. Examples of other co-operatives include the Co-operative supermarkets (which are owned by different regional co-operatives but with identical branding) and the Phone Co-operative. (Note: we are completely unrelated to The Co-operative Group).
How much money did you raise?
We raised nearly £18 million in total. £12 million of our capital is provided through a loan from the Lancashire County Council Pension Fund and £5.8million was raised in shares from individuals and the community. £4 million in this £5.8 million came from the initial share offer, which was the maximum allowed, and £1.8m via a private placement to existing subscribers.
Who benefits?
Members receive an annual return providing an indirect benefit to the local economy, rather than the returns going to a big private company. The project generates clean electricity that helps fight climate change and contributes to ensuring energy security for the country. The local community benefits as a percentage of the profits go to a local community organisation involved in environmental education, sustainability and related projects in the local area.
Do local people receive a discount on energy bills as a result of involvement in the project?
Projects sometimes include discounts for all bill payers in an area, but these are often run differently, for example investing the profits made in cutting bills rather than paying members, and often do not include community ownership. Our project is a community-owned cooperatively run project, and does not offer any energy bill discounts.
Has this been done before?
The concept of community owned renewable energy has been around for many years, in the UK there are projects in Scotland, Lewes, Brighton, and Cumbria, to name a few. What’s exciting about Westmill Solar, is that it is the first large scale community owned solar farm project in the UK – but this is a logical extension of a successful model tried and tested in many countries.
Could Westmill Solar Co-operative help me set-up something similar?
Westmill Solar Co-operative has been sharing its experience with policy-makers and opinion formers to help make it easier for future community renewables. A big success for the community energy sector in 2014 was the launch of Community Energy England (CEE) and Westmill Solar played an instrumental part in that.
Our board members convened and led discussions that helped shape what CEE should be and we provided some administrative capacity whilst this body established itself. Community Energy England has been established to act both as a voice for the sector and as an information hub to share knowledge and expertise.
In 2014 Westmill Solar helped out a neighbouring scheme in development – Charlbury Solar. Charlbury Solar needed a small amount of capital to secure their grid connection agreement, which Westmill provided to them on an ‘at risk’ basis. Westmill directors have also supported the formation of Cuckmere Community Solar.
If you are considering setting up something similar then there are a number of organisations whom you may wish to speak to regards co-operatives and community renewables:
Solar Park Questions
How is the Solar Park performing?
While performance varies from month to month, we are pleased that the Solar Park has generally exceeded its projected generation forecasts over the past year. Westmill Solar Co-operative is keen that information on how the Solar Park is performing is available to everyone as an educational resource. We therefore publish performance information from the last twelve months on our Solar Park webpage.
What happens if the panels are damaged or vandalised?
Westmill Solar Co-operative has appropriate security measures in place meaning we hope that this won’t ever happen. However, should it happen we have a maintenance contract in place to rectify any problem and we are fully insured.
Can I visit the site?
Westmill Solar Co-operative would like as many people as possible to visit the site. We therefore work with the Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust (WeSET) who have a team of volunteer guides who arrange open days throughout the year. To find out when the next open day is happening please visit the WeSET website
Will you upgrade the solar park in future years as solar technology improves?
What happens to the Solar Park at the end of the project?
At the end of the 24 year project the Feed-in-Tariffs are no longer eligible, and it is assumed that the project will end. However it is possible that the solar panels are still working and generating energy and that energy prices are high enough to justify continuing to supply electricity. In this case members would be consulted as to their preference for the project and what the cooperative’s future should be.
Shareholder Questions
How do I update my personal details?
If you have recently changed your home address or email address you can update your details via the members area. If you wish to amend your bank account to receive interest payments, or to request a copy of your share certificate you should contact Energy4All on 01229 821028 or email us at info@westmillsolar.coop.
What payments have been made to date?
Historic interest payments are as follows:
- 2p per share – 31/06/2014
- 10p per share – 31/06/2015
- 6p per share – 31/06/2016
- 2p per share – 31/12/2016
- 7p per share – 31/06/2017
- 7p per share- 06/07/2018
- 12p per share- 01/08/2019
- 12p per share- 01/08/2020
- 12p per share – 26/08/2021
- 10p per share – 03/08/2022
No interest payment was made in 2013. As stated in the fund-raising prospectus, we planned to make our first payment after the first full year of trading. As the Co-operative only became the owner of the solar farm on 31st October 2012, the financial year 2012 only included two months of trading. The first full year of trading for the Co-operative was therefore 2013 and a payment in respect of that year was made in 2014.
Historic capital repayments are as follows:
- 20% of shares in 10/11/14
- 12.5% of shares in 31/09/17
When will I receive my annual payment?
The interest payment for each financial year (January to December) will be made in the following year. This is usually paid in July or August following the AGM.
Where can I access a copy of my tax certificate for my most recent interest payment?
Westmill members can access copies of their tax certificates by contacting Energy4All on 01229 821028 or by sending an email to info@westmillsolar.coop.
Can I opt to waive my interest payment to augment the Community Fund?
Yes you can opt to waive your interest payment to augment Community Fund Payments. You would need to contact Energy4All for a form. They will then apply the waiver to your next interest payment due.
What if I've not received an interest payment?
If you believe that you have not received interest payments due to you, please contact Energy4All on 01229 821028 or send an email to info@westmillsolar.coop.
Is a capital repayment subject to tax?
Any repayments of capital at par are not subject to tax – neither income tax nor capital gains tax.
What if I need my invested money back?
For those who wish to withdraw their capital, please contact info@westmillsolar.coop with your request. All requests will be taken to the board for approval by the directors. Please note that withdrawals are subject to the board’s discretion and the current financial performance and status of the co-operative. This is in accordance with the rules of the co-operative and the terms and conditions of the shares and the bonds. Please note that shares and bonds can also be transferred to a third party.
What happens when I die?
Shares will be transferred to the estate of the deceased. The shares can then be transferred to any other eligible person. The person to whom the shares will be transferred can be nominated by the deceased. Energy4All and the board must receive proof of death and proof of nomination before such action can be taken.
Who do you bank with?
As a matter of good practice we believe it is wise to disperse our cash reserves, to reduce the risks involved in having all our funds in one place. We therefore have monies held with the Co-operative Bank, Handlesbanken and Barclays. All day to day banking arrangements are with the Co-operative Bank.
Will a capital repayment affect the amount of interest I receive?
The 2014 capital repayment meant that members were paid back 2 shares (at £1 per share) for every ten shares held. The September 2017 capital repayment meant that members were paid back 1 share (at £1 per share) for every eight shares that were held meaning that members had in total received back 30% of their original investment.
These capital repayments reduce the overall number of shares you hold, but it will not reduce the proportion of interest you will receive. Distribution of profit is calculated by dividing the amount of monies to be paid out to members by the total number of shares.
If you would like further clarification regarding this, please email info@westmillsolar.coop