Some extracts from the interview below:

“So, we are building renewable energy projects alongside doing something that is quite charitable, supporting people who are in very vulnerable situations. The renewable energy side of things is essentially, it works like this. We find places to put solar.

“We have half a megawatt of solar across 11 sites, schools, community centers, leisure centers and a hotel. Places that could benefit the whole community by having lower energy costs. Once we have done all the feasibility, we raise community finance.

“Essentially, we sell equity in Selce, which in fact acts as a sort of loan stock, if you like. We borrow money from the community. We generate an income by selling solar energy to the school or the community center, which then allows us to repay the principal.

“We do the same with LEDs, essentially. We’ll retrofit a whole school, and then we will sell them, essentially sell them lighting. But what we’re doing is we’re allowing them to repay the cost of installing that solar by paying, sort of paying as you save.

“We ask them to pay less than 50 percent of what they’re saving. So, you know, it’s a win-win business model, and this is the basis of who we are. We generate a surplus that subsidizes our fuel poverty service, which is mainly grant funded, but actually that little bit of money that’s coming, a surplus from solar is so important because it’s the money that allows us the freedom to do what we like with what we feel is needed in the community.”

Listen to the interview in full on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.