About us
By clubbing together, we can share the benefits of solar without the barriers
Improving our energy security and tackling climate change in the process. We are also exploring grant funding to get as many solar panels as we can up as soon as possible.
We're guided by 3 principles
Cheap
Long-term, solar is cheaper than fossil fuels. We want those savings going to members of our community, not to big energy companies.
Clean
We believe that it's in all our interests to shift away from fossil fuel energy, cut emissions and limit climate change. Every roof we can cover in solar panels makes a difference.
Collective
As a co-operative we share power, making decisions together to make sure that we're meeting the needs of our communities. One member, one vote. We decide together which projects happen and what to do with any surplus.
How does it work?
1. Join
Become a member and pay monthly membership dues based on what you can afford, starting from just £1.
2. Build
Your membership dues will be used to fund solar panels on members' homes and community buildings across Greater Manchester. Members will decide together which projects go ahead.
3. Share
The panels generate electricity and income. Members will get to decide how much of any surplus goes into new panels and how much is paid out to members as a dividend, split equally amongst members.
Meet the team
Jesse
Jesse works in climate resilience, helping communities to prepare for climate change. They are a co-founder of nature education co-operative Myco and have been involved in the co-op movement for over 15 years. They got involved because they have seen first hand the impacts of climate breakdown and want to make a difference.
Tom
Tom works in communications for an education charity. He's passionate about climate justice, equality and growing community power, and has experience organising people around these issues. He lives in Levenshulme and loves films and the outdoors.
Rob
Rob is an analytical chemist, who's keen on technical solutions to problems, but thinks buying solar panels alone is hard to reach. He values the tight knit community in Levenshulme & knows collectively we are powerful. He is excited about Community Powerbank as it presents a way for us to tackle climate change together.
Greta
Greta is an accountant, with a focus on working with co-ops and small non-profits. She founded Manchester Business Co-op, which supports many local community organisations around Manchester. She is passionate about helping fight climate change in ways that feel realistic & accessible for individuals and local communities.