Funding support helps village hall cut energy costs and lower carbon emissions

16 Jul 2026

A community hall is set to benefit from reduced energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint after securing two environmental funding programmes.

Culford Village Hall successfully applied for assistance through the Solar for Business Scheme and the Decarbonisation Initiative Fund (DIF), enabling the installation of renewable energy technology at the site.

Solar for Business

As part of the Solar for Business scheme, West Suffolk Council designed, financed and installed a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system with a capacity of 6kW.

The system will generate clean electricity for the village hall, with the power produced supplied back to the hall at a reduced tariff. This will provide a more affordable alternative to its existing electricity supply and help lower ongoing operating costs.

Decarbonisation Initiative Fund (DIF)

The village hall was among 29 local organisations that expressed interest in receiving support through the DIF, which aims to help community buildings reduce carbon emissions and contribute towards tackling climate change.

Funding was awarded towards the installation of a battery storage system with a capacity of 8.6kWh. The battery will allow excess solar energy to be stored and used when required, maximising the benefits of the solar installation.

The DIF has provided more than £200,000 in grant funding for projects across West Suffolk, with community organisations contributing towards the delivery of their own decarbonisation measures.

Financial and environmental benefits

The combined energy-saving improvements are expected to deliver an estimated annual saving of around £350 on energy costs, and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 1 tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year.

Tony Bate, Chair at Culford Village Hall, said: “The combination of inefficient heating and rising electricity costs encouraged our Culford Village Hall committee to look for ways to reduce costs, such as installing solar panels and battery that could store power when the hall wasn’t being used.

“Cllr Susan Glossop alerted us to the funding, for which we are very grateful. The Energy and Sustainability team at West Suffolk Council offered us two options, and we opted for the council to design, finance and install the solar panels and battery by renting the roof space. The electricity produced would then be supplied back to us at a reduced tariff. The team expertly guided us through the process, and we were very grateful as it was quite a large project!

“With the new panels and battery, the electricity costs during the summer months should be very low, allowing us to build up savings to cope with the winter bills, which will now be much lower than before. This in turn will impact our rental charges, which may not need to rise as much next year, benefitting all users of the hall.

“The solar panels and battery, along with the insulation and kitchen upgrades the council also assisted with, will go a long to making the hall a more attractive place to all users and residents.”

Cllr Gerald Kelly, Cabinet Member for Environment and Regulatory at West Suffolk Council, said: “Through both initiatives, we are supporting community organisations to manage and reduce rising energy costs and build environmental resilience.

“The improvements at Culford Village Hall show how investment in renewable technology can deliver long-term financial and environmental benefits, strengthening the sustainability of valued community facilities.”

Cllr Susan Glossop, district ward member for Risby, said: “Community buildings are at the heart of our thriving communities and it is important that they remain financially sustainable for future generations.

“These renewable energy measures will help reduce the centre’s energy costs and carbon emissions, allowing more resources to be directed towards activities and services that benefit local people.”

For more information about the Solar for Business scheme, visit: Solar for Business

---