- Posted on November 11th, 2024
Creative Folkestone – Harnessing Solar Power to Drive Sustainability and Net-Zero Ambitions
For Arts Council England and Julie’s Bicycle’s annual report 2023-24, we feature over 50 practical examples of cultural organisations taking climate action including 9 other in depth case studies like this one. Check out the full interactive report here.
This case study was written by Creative Folkestone, an arts charity with a performance venue in Folkestone, Kent dedicated to arts and culture.
About Creative Folkestone
Creative Folkestone is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our activities through the reduction of energy, waste, water, and transport impact. As a placemaking organisation, Creative Folkestone understands that only an environmentally sustainable Folkestone is a better place to live, work, study, play, and visit.
A shift in environmental awareness, however, cannot be achieved in isolation. We are working with local and regional authorities, funders, and community partners to make progress and drive change. We have aligned our aims and objectives with Folkestone and Hythe District Council to become carbon neutral by 2030, thus achieving national government’s targets to be carbon neutral by 2050 ahead of time.
Our Environmental Working Group meets quarterly to review our Action Plan. Our carbon footprint will be gradually lowered through net energy-saving measures and increased use of renewable energy sources.
Quarterhouse and the Solar Panel Project
Our initial focus is on Quarterhouse, our performing arts venue with a 250-person capacity that hosts an extensive programme of film, music, and comedy. Its bar, The Clearing, with its architectural, cathedral-like artwork designed by Ben Allen, is a popular destination during intervals and for late-night events.
In late 2022, our ambitions to become a sustainable organisation were heightened as we faced a significant rise in electricity bills due to increased levies and tariffs. The challenge to reduce costs and find environmentally friendly ways of generating power became a priority.
The installation of solar panels on the flat roof of Quarterhouse was considered a straightforward solution, but the number of panels required to effectively bring down electricity costs came with a £50,000 price tag. A lifeline came from Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FDHC), which launched its Green Business Grant Scheme earlier that year to help businesses reduce carbon emissions and save on bills.
We were delighted to hear in early 2023 that our application was successful, and we received the maximum contribution of £25,000 under exceptional circumstances. We were able to install 87 solar panels, nearly covering the entire roof space.
Results of the Solar Panel Installation
The work was completed in May 2023, and by the first month, excellent results were already achieved, with approximately 40% of the building’s electricity demand reduced the following month.
By June 2024, we reached the one-year anniversary of the installation, giving us a clear picture of its impact. Over this time, more than 32,000 kWh of clean electricity was produced, reducing average monthly consumption by nearly 30%.
To put this into perspective, the savings presented enough energy to drive a car around the world about six times or cover the energy usage of about nine average-sized houses for a year.
The panels offered annual cost savings of around £17,000, meaning expenses will be covered within one and a half years – an incredibly short payback period.
Expanding Sustainability Initiatives Across Creative Folkestone
We are immensely proud of these achievements. Using solar power from the installed panels has been a significant step in reducing our environmental impact. Next, we plan to expand our focus to other areas of our work to drive environmental change, including our role as a landlord of the Folkestone Creative Quarter, delivery of a learning programme, production of the Folkestone Triennial, and stewardship of Prospect Cottage.
“Acknowledging the climate emergency and finding new innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact is at the heart of all our creative activities. The installation of solar panels has been transformative and delivered greater progress towards improving our environmental performance than we originally thought was possible. We will keep searching for other sources for sustainable energy supplies and will remain committed to become a net-zero organisation by 2030.”
– Alastair Upton, Chief Executive, Creative Folkestone
Header image: Quarterhouse (Front of Building) – Creative Folkestone – Credit: Matt Rowe
