Case Study – How Brimstone Energy powered St. Ives Rugby Club with solar panels and battery storage, securing low-cost energy and saving them money
Energy costs are among the biggest fixed outgoings for local community organisations and sports clubs, with bills continuing to rise. Finding ways to cut costs is more important than ever to make sure the lights stay on… the floodlights in this case.
Installing solar panels and battery storage will save you money now and in the future. The challenge with securing low-cost energy is knowing where to start, and finding the right company to partner with you.
Brimstone Energy recently completed a solar and battery installation at St. Ives Rugby Club. Like all local sports clubs, they rely on a team of volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes, so it was a privilege to help them permanently lower their running costs.
We spoke to Phil Brown, St. Ives RFC Operations Director, about how their new system is driving the club forward. Take a look at the video and read on to find out how your club, organisation, or business can also secure low-cost energy.
Tell us a little about St. Ives Rugby Club
I may be a little biased, but St. Ives RFC is an outstanding community sports club, serving people aged six to sixty. “We’re open for business” each day of the week, with thriving female, male, and mixed teams. People tend to stick around and many of our adult players started here as children!
Wonderful volunteers make competitive and recreational opportunities possible at local amateur sports clubs. We’ve got a great team, but we’re always needing to balance costs with our ambition to have a big impact on the community. I know that’s the same story for many clubs.
St. Ives Rugby Club is also home to a school during the week. Oak Activities provide alternative education provision for primary and secondary-aged children across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We’re happy they call St. Ives Rugby Club one of their homes.
Our clubhouse facilities are in constant use, and I’d say I’ve done a fair job backing up my “outstanding” claim!
So, why did you start looking at solar panels and battery storage?
Short answer. Costs.
Even busy clubs like ours face a financial battle. We’ve always had a long-term view on protecting and developing the club, including how we can save money. We’d looked at different heating systems and lighting options in the past. Unfortunately, we’d been met with barriers, and there just didn’t seem to be the support or guidance in place to push forward.
We needed something (or someone) to make things happen. Matt Hilton was that catalyst, and he made us aware of the funding and grants available for buildings like ours. He’s supported other local organisations in the same way, so we were happy to tap into his knowledge
What was your next step?
Matt explained the savings we’d get from combining solar panels and battery storage. We have floodlights on in the winter and the building is used all day, so it felt like a plan of action was beginning to build.
Matt also pointed us to two independent trusts supporting local businesses and organisations, Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) and Allia. PECT advised on the specific funding and grants available from the Local Authority, and Allia worked with us to devise an “Impact Roadmap” looking at all aspects of our sustainability. This work was the precursor to applying for funding and included setting up a five-year net zero plan.
We pushed the door and found there is help, guidance, and funding available if you partner up with the right companies like Brimstone who know how to guide you.
And we were successful! We were given funding to start planning our solar panel and battery installation.
Did you have any hesitations about solar panels and battery storage?
Truthfully, no.
“When can we start?”
After meeting with Matt and discussing the funding available, I knew this opportunity was what we’d been waiting for. As I said, we were in need of a catalyst to make things happen.
Everyone involved in the club knows the financial challenges facing voluntary organisations. So when I shared the idea, the overwhelming question was, “When can we start?”
What research did you complete about your solar and battery storage options?
The beauty of sports clubs is the wealth of knowledge right there in your community. Lots of people were interested in helping.
I’d previously researched solar panels for my own house and understood the principles. Matt explained the benefits of battery storage, including saving excess solar energy for the evening when the sun’s gone down, along with choosing a tariff to benefit from off-peak rates and selling back to grid.
Sustainable energy is not always an easy area to navigate but we got a range of quotes and looked closely into Brimstone Energy and their previous work. Even though the quotes and specs were similar, one was almost double the price of Brimstone’s. We’re grateful to have had Matt on board, as he tailored the plan to meet our funding.
Did you face any barriers?
I’ve been involved in lots of projects at the club, including new floodlights and changing rooms. There are always challenges.
We thought our existing electricity supply was sufficient, but Matt discovered we’d need to upgrade to three-phase access and change the fuse box. Matt sorted the update and made sure the infrastructure was in place to provide sufficient power, without any delay. It’s fair to say he knew and cared about exactly “why” we were doing the work.
Tell us about the solar panels and battery system
We’re in great shape with 26 panels on our south-facing roof. They have an 11.4 kW peak and they’re working well. It’s only March and they’ve already been powering the club at close to maximum level during parts of the day.
We’ve also got a six-module 20kWh GivEnergy battery three-phase battery, together with an invertor and the new fuse box in place. We can check everything on the app, and we’re in the process of changing our meter to let us switch tariffs and export to the grid.
How do you feel now the system is in place?
We’re saving money, which is great news for our rugby club and everyone who uses it.
Overall, I’m anticipating more benefits and savings as we hit the spring and summer. Our costs are already down 25%, and that includes our use of the floodlights during the darker months. We need the floodlights in the winter, and they do eat up electricity, but we hope to cover our costs with the big surplus we’ll generate during the lighter months.
When you look out in the evening and see all the teams training, it feels like a special and important project.
How does the rest of the rugby club feel about the project?
Everyone’s pleased.
But beyond just saving money, we’ve seen a mindset shift – the team are thinking about more ways to save money and protect the club.
We’ve got our carbon-neutral road map, and we’ve got a team working to make it happen. Remember, these are volunteers, so this response shows how people are “up for it.”
For example, we’ve switched to motion sensor lighting throughout the building and all bulbs are now low-energy LED. Though I must confess, we didn’t put motion sensor lights in the basement… we didn’t think it would be fun if the lights went off when you were down there!
Tell us about partnering with Matt and Brimstone Energy
It was smooth from the start. The installation took three days, including the work on the fuse box. Scaffolding was coordinated smoothly either side and there was no impact on the club or the school.
Without Matt, we wouldn’t have known about the funding available. In other words, without Brimstone we wouldn’t be sitting here saving money with solar panels on the roof.
We did our homework and got other quotes, but Brimstone walked the walk. They’re invested in the community and care about finding what’s best for their customers.
Would you recommend Brimstone Energy.
Yes. 100%.
I’m convinced there are other clubs and organisations ready to save money with low-cost energy.
What’s your advice for organisations thinking about solar panels and battery storage?
You can save money with solar. It might be the difference between your organisation or business just surviving, or thriving.
To make it happen, you’ve got to commit to the project. Get a team in place to make sure you build momentum. Once you speak to the right people like Brimstone, PECT and Allia, the ball starts rolling and you’ll feel like you’re not on your own with the project.
Once you’re going, communicate to your organisation… lots! We’ve loved seeing the enthusiasm of our members for this project ready for the next part of our net zero journey.
From Matt, Founder of Brimstone Energy UK
Phil’s enthusiasm is infectious and it’s great to see how he loves St. Ives Rugby Club. When people in your team commit to securing low-cost energy, you’ll find the pathway is clearer than ever with funding and guidance available.
As a local company, we love helping local communities. We can use our expertise to help your organisation, club or business thrive as well.
You need the right advice and the right partners. Get these in place and your organisation could also benefit from lower bills!
Here are some extra things to think about…
Your home? See how solar and battery installation will also reduce your household bills.
Your organisation? See how we worked with a local village hall to save their community money.
For any advice or a quote, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.