Empowering Communities Together
Morgan Community Centre - Crowthorne
What was done
Crowthorne Parish Council (CPC) installed 40 solar panels on the roof of the Morgan Centre community hall in summer 2025. This 17 kWp system was designed to deliver 160% of the Morgan Centre's annual electricity consumption and has already reduced costs.
CPC ran an online questionnaire in autumn 2021 and asked the public if the council should install solar panels on the council buildings. Seventy six percent of respondents agreed that they should be installed, so council resolved to install a system to:
- Reduce the council’s own emissions.
- Reduce electricity bills to prevent hall hire costs increasing dramatically with the recent energy hikes.
- Support the government's move to green energy and commitment to reach NetZero by 2050.
Built in the 1970s, the Morgan Centre has a flat, unshaded roof. The centre is in constant use by hall hirers, the council offices and impromptu visits from the public, visiting the front desk and using the public toilets. It uses approximately 10,000 units of electricity per annum.
As part of the contract, the flat roof was replaced, reinforced and insulated and then the solar pv system installed. In the first 6 months after installation (summer), the electricity consumption reduced by two-thirds compared to the previous year.
Costs have been saved not only through buying less electricity but also by reducing gas consumption, as during the sunnier months, the electric immersion heater was used for the hot water system. Any excess electricity not used by the building or stored in the battery will be sold back, contributing to the national power supplies and further offsetting Council’s energy costs.
Council are very pleased with the system and are in the process of installing similar on the other community building, the Parish Hall. If you want to find out more please contact us at bfcaa@outlook.com and we will put you in touch.