By Chris Langdon, BelSoc Committee member.
The Camden Solar Showcase, exploring the practicalities of delivering community solar PV projects, was held in September at Wac Arts, which now has a set of solar panels (PVs) on its modern Art Block roof.
That is no mean feat on a listed building. The Wac Arts site on Haverstock Hill, comprises a mix of Victorian, Edwardian and modern buildings, covered by a single Grade II heritage listing, ‘Hampstead Town Hall and Attached Walls and Piers’, presenting unique challenges.
The journey began with a free energy audit from Camden Council in 2024. Following the appointment of specialist architects and structural engineers, the project team faced a significant hurdle: a delay by Camden planners which lasted of over a year.
Luigi Locorotondo, Head of Property Management for the creative hub, and Piotr Wijas, Building Manager, told an audience of 40 people how they turned the delay into an advantage. By the time planning consent was finally granted, newer, more efficient solar panels had entered the market. They were able to revise their plans and install these superior panels instead, re-assessing the original planning submission, a move that proved crucial in securing final approval from their Board of Trustees.
To make the project affordable for a charity with limited reserves, the £34,000 cost could be split across two financial years. Thie initiative was made viable with a £10,000 grant from the Camden Business Climate Fund, which supports businesses on climate action.
The 25 kW system, installed discreetly on the roof of Wac Arts’ modern building and commissioned by June 2025, generated 22Mw in summer 2026. Early monitoring shows the system is already outperforming expectations.
Wac Arts isn’t stopping there; Luigi Locorotondo, said that more sustainability initiatives are in the pipeline, including additional PV installations. He plans to add more PV panels to their Edwardian flat roof, subject to funding being secured.
Their experience proves that with strategic planning, and some patience, community energy projects on complex heritage sites are not just possible but can be successful.
Wac Arts isn’t alone, London has the most active community energy sector in the UK, Syed Ahmed of Community Energy London (CEL) told the meeting. CEL hope to coordinate 1,000 community energy projects by 2030 – roughly 30 in every one of the 33 London Boroughs. It is actively looking for groups who would like to engage.
For residents, planning rules for solar have been changed by Camden. PVs can now be installed in conservation areas like Belsize after a change of policy by Camden. You must still minimise the effect on the external appearance and group panels neatly to maximise generation and minimise visual impact. Plug-in balcony solar is now permitted.
There is information on the Camden website: www.camden.gov.uk/how-to-make-your-home-more-energy-efficient.
If you would like to find out more about Wac Arts wider work, how you could support them, or join their newsletter mailing list please email Development@wacarts.co.uk
