Solar One has attended about 50 public events, such as agricultural shows over the last two years. Many visitors are interested in installing renewable energy equipment and we are able to help them, explaining how it works, the potential for energy and money savings, contacts for installation companies and sources of grants and funding.

5. Financing

A fee is usually requested for schools visits. We charge EU 100 for a half day(1 school), EU 150 for a full day(2 schools) and EU 500 for a full week (10schools). Most education authorities and schools are quite happy to meet these charges. Over a year, our normal income from these charges is about EU 4,000 and our normal expenses (maintenance, fuel, road tax, etc) is about EU2,000. Therefore the whole venture is now self financing and we have even been able to pay back some of our initial funders. It should be noted, however, that the driver/ lecturer provides his services as an unpaid volunteer. If wages had to be paid, that would cost an additional EU6,000.

6. Conclusion.

The Solar One project has been a great success. It has taken renewable energy, especially solar, into the community and is now financially self sustaining. The Scottish Solar Energy Group is happy to share our experiences with any other organisation which wishes to do something similar.