Since 2010, the Parish of Ladock and Grampound Road have benefitted in a multitude of ways. The first to benefit were those who took the opportunity to have solar panels installed with the original grant that was made available. The Feed in Tariff (FIT) Scheme commenced on 1st April 2010 and ran until 31st March 2019. In simple terms, during this time anyone installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on their roof were eligible to receive payment for electricity generated. For residents and community buildings in the parish that took up this offer, they could benefit from any free electricity that was generated during daylight hours, significantly reducing their energy bills. Low Carbon Ladock would receive the FIT payments for these installations and recycle this money back into the community, in the shape of other energy efficiency measures, improvements to community facilities, and any maintenance that was required across the existing portfolio of solar PV installations.
To encourage the community to step forward and seek funding, an annual award scheme was created where residents, and community facility committees, were invited to make a bid. Here is a brief summary of the some awards made to the community in the last few years:
- Ladock Village Hall – energy efficient lighting, improved fire doors
- Grampound Road Village Hall – improved electrical set up
- Ladock Playing Fields – contribution to circular path, recycled picnic benches, swing repairs
- Grampound School – improvements to balance bikes and library
- Ladock School – playground repairs, upgrade to undercover outdoor learning space
- Ladock Residents – contribution to solar PV installations
- Grampound Road Residents – contribution to solar panel installation
- Grampound Road Resident – contribution to solar energy storage system
- Ladock Resident – lime render for improving cottage wall structure
- Ladock Resident – compost loo self-build
- Grampound Road Resident – thermal blinds and curtains
- Grampound Road Resident – triple glazing