Residents in south Cumbria have another opportunity to invest in a community-owned renewable energy scheme.

Burneside Community Energy has already raised £250,000 from local shareholders to install 250kW of solar PV on the roof of paper manufacturer James Cropper’s factory.

Now the group aims to raise a further £330,000 for a second installation, again in partnership with the Kendal-based firm.

Organisers say the shares, which will be £1 with a minimum investment of £250, will generate annual interest of over 4.5 per cent.

Gill Fenna, director of Burneside Community Energy, said: “On the back of the over-performance of the first phase of our installation, which was commissioned nearly three years ago, we were encouraged to go for this second phase.

“This will be bigger than the first, with a system of up to 460kW being installed this winter.

"The feed-in tariff will close at the end of March, so the plan is to install the panels from December and into the new year.

“The new system can be commissioned and registered with Ofgem by the March 31 deadline.”

The share offer will launch on October 24 at The Bryce Institute, Burneside, where prospective investors can meet the directors of Burneside Community Energy, see the share offer document and register to invest.

The share offer will close when the target is met, or on November 21, whichever is the earlier, and is open to everyone.

In the event of over-subscription, priority will be given to residents of Burneside and employees of James Cropper.

Full details will be available at the launch event, or by going to communityenergycumbria.co.uk/projects/burneside