In 2025, Scene undertook a Phase 1 Community Energy Fund (CEF) study on behalf of Zero Carbon Liverpool City Region (ZCLCR) to appraise opportunities for community-owned solar at supermarkets across Merseyside.
The study identified viable opportunities for community-led rooftop PV and solar carport developments at selected supermarkets across Liverpool, The Wirral, and Sefton local authority regions. Through appropriate ownership and financing structures, these opportunities could reduce local emissions and provide supermarkets with ethical and sustainable energy, in turn fostering effective and long-lasting business and grassroot community partnerships across Merseyside.
A total of 66 supermarket sites, from across Merseyside were assessed for rooftop and solar carport viability. A total of 9 case study sites were progressed, capable of hosting a cumulative installed rooftop capacity of 2.3 MW. Although solar carports were technically viable at all 9 locations, they were discounted based upon financial viability. Here, financial performance was considerably hindered by high upfront groundwork and installation costs. Community share raises were recommended for rooftop PV development finance.
From late 2025, a phased community and stakeholder outreach programme was recommened to secure stakeholder interest. This would include negotiating contractual terms, agreeing roof leases and securing further developmental funding to progress community-commercial partnerships and business case.