Energise South Downs fully funds solar share offer

The Energise South Downs community share offer was fully funded in just 10 days, thanks to blended finance model with Ethex

Ethex is proud to have hosted Energise South Downs’ first-ever community share offer, which raised its full £302,000 target in just 10 days, a powerful demonstration of how blended finance can deliver local climate solutions at pace and scale while including the crowd.

Through direct impact investment platform Ethex, the offer combined institutional support with people-powered investment to make three community rooftop solar projects in Hampshire a reality. The swift success of the raise was made possible through strategic co-investment from the South Downs National Park Trust and Community Shares ICOF (CSI), alongside over 200 individual investors from across the UK, investing from as little as £50.

The share offer, the first by Petersfield-based community energy organisation Energise South Downs, will fund new rooftop solar installations at:

• Hayling Island Sailing Club
• Britannia Reeves removals warehouse, Petersfield
• Energique Health & Fitness Centre, Alton

Together, these projects will generate around 270,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, avoiding 54 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year (the equivalent of planting 2,100 trees) while helping to power local buildings and reduce energy bills.

Chris Butler, Acting CEO of Ethex, commented: “This is a textbook example of how communities, institutions, and individuals can come together to build the kind of future we all want to live in, one that’s cleaner, fairer, and more resilient. At Ethex, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to put their money to work supporting incredible organisations like this, creating real, positive change while aiming for a fair financial return.”

A key part of the innovation behind this offer was the blending of finance:

• The South Downs National Park Trust helped to catalyse early investment with a cornerstone commitment.
• The Community Shares Booster Fund, delivered by Co-operatives UK, matched eligible individual investments up to £50,000.

This layered funding approach provided confidence and momentum for individual investors to join in and fuel the offer's rapid success.

James Winkworth, Director of Business Development and Growth at the South Downs National Park, said: “The driest spring on record, together with the hottest June, are stark reminders of our changing climate and the challenges we face. We need more innovative, community-based climate action on the ground and that’s exactly what this project is. It brings together local businesses to strengthen energy resilience and grow the region’s green economy, so we’re really pleased to be supporting it.”

Beyond emissions reduction, the project is already delivering meaningful local impact. Surplus solar energy generated at the Britannia Reeves site will be shared with neighbouring Broadway Park, a community of over-50s, helping to lower bills and create energy independence. Investors are projected to receive up to 5.5% return per year, with all surplus revenue channelled back into a Community Benefit Fund supporting future environmental, social and cultural projects in the South Downs. 

Following the success of this offer, Energise South Downs is already developing plans for new community-led renewable energy projects, with further opportunities to invest through Ethex expected later this year.