Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC) is a Society that is guided by the Principles of Co-operation and owned by its members. It offers Edinburgh residents an opportunity to own the generation of clean, green, renewable energy. Members elect directors and each member has one vote regardless of the number of shares held. Members are protected by limited liability and are only obliged to contribute the initial cost of their shares.
As a Community Benefit Society, Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative is governed by Rules which are approved by and registered with the Financial Conduct Authority.
The Society is run by a Board of Directors. The Board works with Energy4All who carry out the day to day running of the ECSC, and City of Edinburgh Council who own the buildings our solar panels are hosted on. We want to ensure that local people share in the benefits from the project through an ethical investment.
A registered society is the legal entity which enables the community to own assets such as a solar scheme. The society subscribes to co-operative values which include:
- a commitment to equality, fairness, honesty and social responsibility
- It also follows key principles such as operating in a democratic manner (one member one vote –regardless of how large or small a member’s investment).
In line with these principles, ECSC aims to maximise the social, economic, and environmental benefits of renewable energy schemes to the community. We would like to see individuals and businesses from all over Edinburgh getting involved in the Society and so make a real practical contribution to the fight against climate change while earning a reasonable return on an ethical investment.