Toddington-based Duracell Energy, CME Contractors and the Winchcombe Town Trust have teamed up to improve the energy efficiency of Winchcombe Museum after successful funding application.
The Grade 2 listed building, which also houses the UK’s most important meteorite at the Winchcombe Museum, was awarded £4,999 in grant funding from Gloucestershire County Council to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of the historic building.
The money granted from the Greener Gloucestershire Climate Change Fund was awarded to the Winchcombe Town Trust to support the Museum with energy security and a sustainable future. Toddington-based Puredrive Energy, who are a Duracell authorised licensee, manufacture and sell Duracell Energy’s home ecosystem of solar and battery solutions.
The new system consists of a pair of Duracell 5+ storage batteries, which are part of the Duracell Energy home ecosystem, alongside a solar inverter, and 17 solar PV panels that were installed on the southwest side of the Museum’s roof. The historic building will now be able to store electricity generated by the solar panels, allowing the listed building to produce and store self-generated renewable energy. The Museum will also be capable of selling unused electricity back to the grid.
Using variable rate tariffs and energy captured by solar panels, the storage batteries charge utilising cutting-edge technology via low-priced overnight rates and generated solar energy which is then used to power the building as required.
The installation was carried out by local solar installer CME contractors and demonstrates an example of local businesses coming together to secure the Museum’s future for years to come.
This collaborative approach demonstrates the possibilities for similar rural towns to support their own historic listed buildings, using the latest technological advancements to cut costs and lower carbon emissions.
Due to its locality, leading solar and battery producer, Duracell Energy presented a bespoke certificate to trustees of the Museum and the Winchcombe Town Trust which celebrates the collaboration of Gloucestershire-based organisations. There will also be informative leaflets on display for visitors to learn more about adopting energy solutions into their own homes to lower their bills and cut carbon emissions.
County Councillor David Gray also attended the presentation organised by Duracell Energy who were represented by Commercial Manager (and Winchcombe resident) Matt Wood, and former Winchcombe Town Football Club striker and Regional Sales Manager, Monty New.
On gaining the Greener Gloucestershire Climate Change Fund grant, Richard Wakeford of the Winchcombe Town Trust said: “The people of Winchcombe were fully on board when applying for a local authority grant which aimed to improve the sustainability of our historic Museum. Installing solar and battery solutions to a listed building was a smooth process and a decision that will help secure the Museum’s future for years to come. The install was hassle-free and the products in no way detract from the history and character of the Museum.”
On choosing local companies to provide the install and products, Richard continued: “The advantage of having a local installer and product supplier in CME Contractors and Duracell Energy added to the community project. We would like to thank Craig and the team at CME for installing the solar and Duracell Energy products which will allow us to continue Winchcombe’s rich history and do our part in saving the planet.”