Students visit from Agnes Scott College, Georgia, USA.

4 March 2019: A group of 22 students from Agnes Scott College, Georgia, USA visited Ashton Hayes on Tuesday 5th March together with their professors, Sarah Winget and Matt Ruby. They came to learn more about our Going Carbon Neutral project and were hosted by Kate Harrison, Richard Stradling and Roy Alexander. We met at the pavilion to introduce the project and then walked through the village via the community shop and primary school to the village hall, where we had a very lively question and answer session over hot chocolate and pastries. Sarah and Matt previously brought a group in March 2017 and we look forward to seeing them again in 2021.

Our solar panels continue to perform well

Performance of solar photovoltaic panels at Ashton Hayes Sports pavilion

The generation performance of the solar photovoltaic panels at Ashton Hayes sports pavilion has been remarkably consistent since they were installed seven years ago (Figure 1). This has occurred despite fluctuations in sunshine hours over the years (see Figure 2 below). Quarters are seasonal.

Quarterly sunshine hours at Northwich have varied over the period with even this summer having a lower peak than 2013 and 2014 when summarised over a whole quarter (Figure 2).

However, there remains a strong correlation between sunshine hours and panel generation as shown in Figure 3 below. Note the difference between winter/spring figures (lower left points) and those from spring and summer (upper right).

Performance of solar photovoltaic panels at Ashton Hayes Sports pavilion

The generation performance of the solar photovoltaic panels at Ashton Hayes sports pavilion has been remarkably consistent since they were installed seven years ago (Figure 1). This has occurred despite fluctuations in sunshine hours over the years (see Figure 2 below). Quarters are seasonal.

Quarterly sunshine hours at Northwich have varied over the period with even this summer having a lower peak than 2013 and 2014 when summarised over a whole quarter (Figure 2).

However, there remains a strong correlation between sunshine hours and panel generation as shown in Figure 3 below. Note the difference between winter/spring figures (lower left points) and those from spring and summer (upper right).

An evening in Cumbria at Wilf's Cafe

On 29 November 2018, Garry will present a talk on the project to residents of South Lakeland. The event, sponsored by Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), will run from 6:30 - 9pm. The organiser, Dr Rhona Pringle, informs us that the event is already a sell out. Wifl'e Cafe, Staveley.

ADAPT team visits Ashton Hayes

On Wednesday 18th April, Kate and Alex hosted a visit by nine members of ADAPT (Audlem and District Acting Positively for Transition). On a beautiful sunny evening we spent an hour or so at the pavilion before taking a stroll around the village. ADAPT were keen to learn how we had engaged the community in the carbon neutral project and what we had achieved over the past 12 years. We also spent some time discussing options for the use of an area of land in Audlem. You can find out more about ADAPT and download their cycling guide to Audlem at http://adapt.audlem.org"

 Chris from ADAPT also put an article on their visit here.

AHCE AGM 15 March 2018

The AGM of the Ashton Hayes Community Energy Company was held at the Parish Rooms on 15 March and chaired by Professor Roy Alexander. Roy welcomed Richard Straddling onto the AHCE Board and gave a review of the year and plans ahead. A debate followed and there was a good discussion about potential projects and things that need doing. Here is the slide set from the meeting. If you wish to join the Energy Company as a member please contact Kate Harrison kate.harrison2@btopenworld.com.