Future-Proofing the Heart of Farthinghoe

How a rural village hall turned rising energy costs into community reinvestment.

Farthinghoe Village Hall has always been more than just a building; it’s part of the vital organs of the community. From the various social events, as well as the parish and community meetings, the hall is in near-constant use. However, like many community hubs, the rising tide of energy costs began to make a rather large dent in its operational budget.

Instead of cutting back on services, the Farthinghoe team decided to invest in their future.

The Challenge: Balancing the Books in a High-Cost Era

While many community buildings suffer from "intermittent use," Farthinghoe Village Hall is a higher-demand site. With a schedule that often spans from through the day and evening, the building’s base-load and peak energy requirements were substantial.

The catalyst for change wasn't one single "shock" bill, but the cumulative pressure of rising energy prices. The committee recognised that every pound spent on electricity was a pound taken away from community maintenance and local initiatives. They needed a solution that would provide long-term price certainty.

The Solution: A Powerhouse Installation

Working with MakeMyChurchGreen, the Farthinghoe team identified the hall as a prime candidate for a large-scale solar installation, as the village hall offered ample roof space and a high potential for self-consumption.

We designed a bespoke system comprising:

• 15.5 kWp of Solar PV: A high-output array designed to maximize generation during daylight hours.
• 16.59 kWh Battery Storage: This was the critical component. Because the hall is frequently used in the evenings, the battery allows the community to "time-shift" their solar energy—storing excess power generated at midday to keep the lights on and the heaters running long after the sun goes down.

The Outcome: Financial Freedom and Environmental Stewardship

The installation was completed for a total investment of just over £20,000, funded entirely through the hall’s own reserves—a testament to the community’s commitment to sustainability.

The financial impact was immediate. With projected savings of nearly £3,000 per year, the system is set to pay for itself in roughly seven years. Beyond the "break-even" point, the hall will enjoy decades of virtually free energy.

Why It Works for Community Hubs

This project serves as a perfect blueprint for other village halls and church-affiliated buildings. The combination of High Generation + High Storage matches the specific "lived reality" of community buildings, ensuring that the energy produced is actually used on-site rather than exported back to the grid for a lower return.

MakeMyChurchGreen is proud to have helped Farthinghoe Village Hall transition from an energy consumer to a green energy producer.