Something exciting is happening just outside Barcombe. Holmansbridge Farm, already a well-loved local hub for fresh produce, good food, and countryside calm, is now home to a brand-new solar array. And it’s not just reducing bills and carbon emissions, it’s helping to power a future where our energy is clean, fair, and owned by the community.
Here at OVESCO, we’re thrilled to have delivered this project alongside the brilliant team at Holmansbridge. With an 18-month development journey (including navigating some very tricky legacy wiring!), we’ve now installed a 15kWp solar PV system that’s up and running, quietly producing clean electricity for the farm shop and café every day.
But this project is about much more than panels on a roof.
Energy that Works for Everyone
Holmansbridge is more than a farm, it’s a vital local space. It’s where families stock up on fresh vegetables, where campers come for coffee after a morning walk, and where local food producers find a supportive home for their goods. Helping this business save money on its energy bills, without any upfront cost, is precisely the kind of local impact we’re here to make.
“This is exactly the sort of project that gets me out of bed in the morning,” says Frank Donghi, our Technical Manager here at OVESCO. “It brings together everything community energy is about, local impact, long-term benefit, and a real sense of purpose.”
Why Solar Matters for Farm Shops
Farm shops use a lot of electricity. Fridges, freezers, chillers; they’re running 24/7, keeping food fresh and safe. In fact, refrigeration can account for up to half of a small food business’s energy use. That means switching to solar isn’t just a sustainability win, it’s a financial game-changer.
For Nickie Thomas, who runs Holmansbridge Farm, the decision to go solar was as much about people as it was about energy.
“We’ve always wanted to reduce our impact and be more sustainable,” she says. “This made it financially possible, and more than that, it connects us to something bigger. We’re proud to be part of a project that brings real benefits to the whole community.”
Built for Community Ownership
This installation has been designed from day one to be passed into community ownership. That means local people can invest directly in the solar system and earn a return while supporting the shift to cleaner energy.
“This is about taking back control of our energy,” says OVESCO Director Chris Rowland. “Community-owned power means resilience. Resilience to rising prices, to climate disruption, and to energy inequality. It keeps value in the local economy and gives people a stake in the solutions we so urgently need.”
The urgency couldn’t be clearer. Over 70% of the UK’s energy still comes from fossil fuels. Yet solar is now the cheapest electricity in history, and community energy projects like this one could supply up to 13% of the UK’s power by 2030, if properly supported.
At OVESCO, we’re not waiting for permission. We’re building that future now, one rooftop at a time.
⚡ Project Snapshot
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15kWp solar PV system – about twice the size of a typical home array
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18-month development period – with complex technical challenges overcome
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£18,355 installation cost – covered by OVESCO
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Cheaper, stable power – helping the farm avoid rising energy prices
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25-year contract – designed for eventual community ownership
We managed every step of the process, from system design to legal work, and worked closely with Nickie at every stage. It’s a real team effort, and we’re proud to have collaborated with Galaxy Technical Solutions on the installation.
Now, Holmansbridge Farm is saving money, cutting carbon, and helping to lead the charge for a fairer energy system.
“For us, that’s what it’s all about,” says Frank.
Want to Own a Slice of Local Solar?
We’re planning to offer community shares in the Holmansbridge Farm solar system, giving you a chance to invest directly in local, clean energy. It’s a powerful way to support renewables, back a brilliant local business, and earn a fair return.
The share offer isn’t live just yet, but we’re currently gathering pledges from interested locals.
👉 Subscribe to our mailing list and we’ll keep you updated when the offer launches.
Together, we can keep the power, quite literally, in local hands.
About Holmansbridge Farm
A family-run farm shop and café near Barcombe, Holmansbridge is known for its friendly welcome, fresh local produce, and relaxed countryside charm. It’s a much-loved part of the local food scene and a strong supporter of sustainability. Visit: www.holmansbridgefarm.com