On the 9th of July Eco Savvy hosted an energy event: Driving Renewable Energy Adoption and Efficiency. The event was to help businesses and householders take the next cost and planet saving steps.

Recently we hosted an event that offered a fantastic opportunity to explore renewable energy solutions provided by Green Home Systems. Who are an accredited installer. Gordon McDill from Green Home Systems and his team have committed to travelling to Arran to offer their expertise and support to inform local households and businesses about their accredited services. For the next three months, they have established an island hub. They will be providing renewable energy installations to over 65 homes on Arran. Also in attendance were Drew Bull from Duracell Energy and Jamie Bell for Vaillant Group.

We want to help locals take the next cost and planet saving steps. We will help them act on recommendations from Energy Performance Certificate assessments and energy audits in order to help drive renewable energy adoption.

Our Eco Savvy Energy Event saw the participation of 23 Arran residents, ranging from those new to the concept of renewable energy to those ready to take the first steps in installation, and even individuals who have already adopted renewable solutions but are looking to expand their systems. 

Eco Savvy Chair Helen Ross presented the main aims and background information and made an exciting announcement at the event: “we have secured funding for a new project, “Tackling Climate Change by Living Well for Less.” This initiative aims to build on the success of the Green Islands Project, a partnership with North Ayrshire Council designed to support Arran on our route to achieving Net-Zero carbon emissions by 2030. The Green Islands Project laid the groundwork by developing greenhouse gas (GHG) baseline assessments for Arran and Cumbrae, along with road maps to Net-Zero.  It supported 21 businesses and over 100 householders to make and begin to implement their Net Zero plans enabling them to save money in the long term and live or work more comfortably .

The new project, “Tackling Climate Change by Living Well for Less,” will focus on improving the energy efficiency of buildings and installing renewable energy systems. We will host workshops on solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, integrating these efforts with other Eco Savvy initiatives like sustainable food, waste reduction, active travel, and carbon literacy.

Conversations at our recent energy event revealed a gap between islanders’ households plans and the accessibility of accredited insulation and renewable energy providers. Many businesses and homeowners are uncertain about how to start, what changes will provide the best outcomes, what funding options are available and who is able and accredited to install the improvements. Attendees were also keen to learn from case studies of local residents who have successfully installed renewable energy systems.

The “Tackling Climate Change by Living Well for Less” project will feature community workshops, allowing direct communication between householders and accredited providers through “Meet the Installer” sessions. These workshops which will help towards driving renewable energy will be divided into business and domestic phases, targeting specific areas identified by the Green Islands Project.

Additionally, we will form two Action Learning groups, enabling 12-16 Green Island Project participants to share information, skills, and experiences, facilitating progress towards Net-Zero goals. Action Learning is a practical method for change management, where small groups meet over time to tackle real problems, reflect, and learn from each other.

We will also support two islanders in assessing, coordinating, and/or managing retrofit risks. Six community members will receive Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), and we will create a dynamic directory of sustainable living resources. The outcomes of this project will be presented to policymakers, including the Scottish Government, the Ayrshire Hub network, and the Arran Island Plan group.

Through these efforts, Eco Savvy aims to empower the Arran community to make informed decisions about renewable energy and energy efficiency, contributing to a sustainable and cost-effective future.

Thank you to Green Home Systems for their donation of time and expenses to make the event possible. 

We plan to host another Driving Renewable Energy event in the autumn. Keep an eye out on our whats on page or register for our monthly newsletter.

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