Community Energy at the Dracaena Centre, Falmouth

30kW’s of Solar installed at the Dracaena Community Centre in Falmouth, Cornwall

Naked Solar recently completed an install of 105 Q Cell solar panels on the Dracaena Centre in Falmouth. Working with various community energy suppliers we were able to supply a PV array that suited their needs to reduce electricity bills at the right price. Fal Energy Partnership (FEP) is a community energy company who have been helping the Dracaena Centre. By funding the installation, Fal Energy provide the Dracaena centre with cheaper electricity than they would get from the big suppliers meaning the centre can then spend the money they save directly on things that benefit all the lovely people who use the centre.

Why the Dracaena Centre?

The Dracaena Centre is a charity and its aim is to create a healthy, happy, mutually supportive community in Falmouth. They offer all sorts of services from sports clubs, a cafe, a Toy Library, Special Olympics, help and advice, activities for young people and not so young people and it is used by over 120 people per day.

How it will work.

FEP will be able to claim a small feed-in-tariff (FIT) for generating renewable electricity and exporting the surplus back into the Grid. Our plan is to reinvest this money in the local community by developing more renewable energy projects like this one; it would be #ShopLocal for electricity. We think this is really important because currently 98% of the £1billion we spend each year on energy in Cornwall goes straight out of the county.

Solar Facts.

105 x 285 watt panels were installed resulting in an array of 29.9kW’s which is expected to generate over 32000 kWh’s of green electricity every year. An impressive 23% Return on investment and a 4.6 year payback makes the centre a perfect example of how solar can benefit your business or community project.

The innovative Q.ANTUM cell technology from Q Cells makes the new high performance module Q.PLUS the ideal solution for any application. The world record cell design was developed to deliver maximum output in real weather conditions – also during low-radiation and on clear, hot summer days.

Shelley Sampson - Finance and Growth Director

Shelley Sampson is a founding member of the Naked Solar team, having played a pivotal role in the company’s evolution from a startup to a leading force in the renewable energy sector since 2010 . As the Finance and Growth Director, Shelley combines strategic financial oversight with a deeply rooted passion for ethical business practices.

Expertise & Professional Background

Before dedicating her career to solar energy, Shelley spent several years working within the oil industry. This unique background provides her with a comprehensive understanding of the global energy landscape and the critical importance of the transition to sustainable power.

She studied Business Studies at Leeds Metropolitan University, which laid the foundation for her analytical approach to business scaling and operational excellence.

While her title focuses on finance and growth, Shelley’s core mission is centered on the customer experience. Having been involved in the business since its inception, she is a fierce advocate for consumer rights within the renewables industry. She ensures that every Naked Solar client is treated with transparency and respect, overseeing a culture that prioritises high-quality installations and long-term system performance over short-term gains.