Sunny Carrick
Carrick-on-Shannon Community Solar
The Beginning
In 2019 as Dr Robert Johnson basked in the famous Leitrim sun, he had a vision for saving a few quid on his energy bills while also saving the planet from imminent destruction.
He got himself some of those solar panels...
built a mighty strong frame...
installed an inverter...
and began generating lovely, free electricity while preventing the imminent destruction of the planet!
As Rob smugly contentedly drove his shiny red Nissan Leaf ™ around Lovely Leitrim ™ using only his personally collected solar rays, a cunning plan formed... Install more solar panels.
The Cunning Plan
As fortune would have it, Rob was not the only person to think of installing solar panels; and as his lovely house in Lovely Leitrim ™ was also in Ireland, he had a huge amount of support and expertise to call on.
Not only that, the SEAI had already come up with a plan for those looking to install loads of solar panels.
And best of all, he had already ticked off the first thing to do!
You’ve decided to do something about sustainable energy in your community.
Get a group together and apply to join the Sustainable Energy Network.
Meet with your local Sustainable Energy Community mentor to see what’s possible.
Attend regional and national events. Meet with other communities and get inspired.
Set out the goals and ambitions for your community.
With support from your mentor, apply for Energy Master Plan funding.
Appoint your Energy Master Plan Consultant.
Involve your community in the Energy Master Plan.
Identify a range of opportunities in your community to achieve energy savings.
Present the final plan to your community to gain traction for the next steps.
Find out what funding is available to help implement the Energy Master Plan.
The next year or so was difficult...
The planet went to war with the humans; plague turned to pandemic, forests burnt and cities flooded... but during it all, Rob watched his lovely, free electricity flow (except at nighttime).
He followed the SEAI plan to the letter and kept checking boxes. With the help of the emminent professor climate, Rob setup the Carrick-on-Shannon Community Solar project, a bold and brilliant leap forward.
The plan was coming together and Rob was inspired...
You’ve decided to do something about sustainable energy in your community.
Get a group together and apply to join the Sustainable Energy Network.
Meet with your local Sustainable Energy Community mentor to see what’s possible.
Attend regional and national events. Meet with other communities and get inspired.
Set out the goals and ambitions for your community.
With support from your mentor, apply for Energy Master Plan funding.
Appoint your Energy Master Plan Consultant.
Involve your community in the Energy Master Plan.
Identify a range of opportunities in your community to achieve energy savings.
Present the final plan to your community to gain traction for the next steps.
Find out what funding is available to help implement the Energy Master Plan.
The Getting Everyone Inspired
Now that Rob is inspired, he would very much like to inspire other's around Carrick-on-Shannon.
While none of us want to publicise Lovely Leitrim's ™ famous sun (it would just confuse the Lovely Leitrim's ™ lovely tourist vision), it is something we as a community should look at harnessing.
If you also feel inspired and want to help set out some ambitious goals for a Carrick-on-Shannon community solar powered future; just mention it to anyone around town and I am sure someone will let me know.
Alternatively you can send an email to contact@sunnycarrick.ie.
