Scene Connect delivered a comprehensive feasibility study for the SAIL Solar project, a community-led initiative developed by Sustainable Arts in Leeds to install a rooftop solar PV array on a warehouse owned by Opera North. Funded through the Great British Energy Community Fund, the study was undertaken between April and August 2025 to assess the technical, financial, and commercial viability of a community-owned renewable energy scheme in the cultural sector.
The project focused on a large warehouse in Kirkstall, Leeds, evaluating multiple system sizes and delivery models. Analysis identified an optimised 540 kWp rooftop solar array as the most viable option, capable of generating approximately 526 MWh of electricity annually. Scene carried out detailed energy baselining and demand matching, alongside technical design, planning considerations, and environmental assessments to confirm deliverability within site constraints.
Two delivery models were developed. The first involves supplying electricity directly to Opera North, with surplus exported to the grid, delivering a 9.1% project IRR and approximately £618,000 in lifetime community benefit. The second, more advanced option includes direct supply to a large local energy user, significantly improving performance, with a 12.3% IRR and around £1.1 million in community benefit. This model also enhances local value retention and strengthens project resilience.
In parallel, Scene developed a clear commercial and governance framework, recommending a community-owned Special Purpose Vehicle to finance, own, and operate the system through a community share offer. The study provides a delivery-ready roadmap, positioning SAIL Solar as a leading example of how community energy can support decarbonisation while unlocking new funding models for the arts sector.