Hartlepool Rugby Football Club installed 175 solar panels and battery storage, funded by a £50,000 grant from the Enovert Community Trust and the Landfill Communities Fund. The new system will meet around 90% of the club’s annual electricity demand, cut its carbon footprint by 15 tonnes of CO₂ each year and save roughly £11,800 in electricity costs.
Solar Installation Details
The project, completed last month, includes 175 photovoltaic panels and an integrated battery storage system. The panels are expected to generate enough power to cover the majority of the clubhouse’s energy needs, while the battery allows the club to draw on stored solar energy during peak demand and in the evenings. The £50,000 grant was split between the Enovert Community Trust and the Landfill Communities Fund, which provided the bulk of the funding.
Stewart Hind, Chair of Hartlepool Rugby Football Club, said the installation “has significantly reduced our carbon footprint while making the club far more financially sustainable.” He added that the project “has helped secure the future of free rugby for more than 350 children, ensured we can continue to offer affordable memberships, and strengthened our role as a welcoming community hub for people across Hartlepool.”
Community Impact
The annual savings of £11,800 will be reinvested directly into the club’s community programmes. These include free rugby for hundreds of children, walking rugby, social touch rugby, senior rugby, community darts teams, charity events and a range of inclusive activities that welcome people of all ages. The battery storage also allows the clubhouse to remain open longer during winter, providing a resilient hub for residents affected by fuel poverty.
Angela Haymonds, Trust Manager of Enovert Community Trust, praised the club’s work: “Hartlepool Rugby Club is doing amazing work by providing free rugby for hundreds of local children, and the Trustees were delighted to award the grant to ensure that this community benefit remains sustainable into the future.”
The project demonstrates how local sports clubs can adopt renewable energy solutions to reduce costs, lower emissions and enhance community services. With the new solar system in place, Hartlepool Rugby Football Club is set to continue offering free and affordable sports opportunities for the town’s residents while contributing to a greener future.
