E.ON has initiated a groundbreaking solar sharing project at St Luke’s Primary School in East London, enabling surplus solar energy to be credited to nearby homes without physical grid connections. The pilot aims to cut costs, lower emissions, and push for regulatory reform to expand local clean energy sharing across the UK.
UK energy supplier E.ON has initiated a pioneering solar sharing project in London aimed at harnessing the benefits of local solar power generation to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions within the community. The pilot project features the installation of 270 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at St Luke’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in Canning Town, East London. This system is expected to generate approximately 100MWh annually, covering around 50% of the school’s energy requirements. E.ON will fund, install, and maintain the system at no upfront cost to the school, projecting savings of over £7,000 per year for the school and its surrounding community.
Uniquely, any surplus solar energy produced onsite will be shared with nearby homes at a discounted rate, without the need for a physical power connection. Instead, half-hourly metering data will be used to match energy generation with local consumption, applying credits towards customers’ electricity bills for the solar energy they use. This innovative approach, described by Ramona Vlasiu, Chief Operating Officer at E.ON Next, is intended to demonstrate that energy sharing can deliver both financial and environmental benefits. However, she emphasises that regulatory reforms are necessary to accelerate the deployment of similar projects across the UK.
E.ON is advocating for significant policy changes to support local energy sharing initiatives. Currently, social and environmental levies are applied broadly to both fossil fuel-generated and green electricity, contributing to higher costs for renewable energy consumption and discouraging community-level clean energy adoption. The utility argues that these levies should be removed for projects where energy remains within the local network, as this naturally reduces transmission expenses and supports investment in distributed generation. This stance aligns with Ofgem’s recent call for evidence on reforming how energy network costs are shared, signalling a timely opportunity for policy evolution.
The pilot at St Luke’s fits into a broader vision promoted by E.ON for Energy Sharing Communities, where solar PV installations on public buildings such as schools, hospitals, and libraries generate power for onsite use and share excess with local residents. Industry data indicates that utilising all suitable rooftops and car parks across the UK could generate up to 117GW of solar power, far exceeding the government’s target of 70GW by 2035. Such community-focused solar projects could play a crucial role in achieving net zero goals by enhancing energy affordability, sustainability, and resilience.
The Right Reverend Roger Morris, Bishop of Colchester and Chair of the Diocese of Chelmsford’s Diocesan Board of Education, highlighted the current economic paradox where additional costs attached to electricity have made renewable energy seemingly more expensive than fossil fuels. He praised the pilot as a vital demonstration of the abundance and cost-effectiveness of solar energy, underscoring the potential benefits of wider adoption.
As the UK continues to transform its energy system, E.ON’s solar sharing pilot in East London exemplifies how community-scale solutions can contribute to a cleaner, more affordable, and resilient energy future, provided that regulatory frameworks evolve to support innovation and local collaboration.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/solar-projects/e-on-launches-uk-first-solar-sharing-pilot – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://news.eonenergy.com/news/think-local-simple-changes-to-regulations-could-inspire-investment-in-cleaner-more-affordable-energy-for-millions-says-e-on – E.ON Next has launched a community energy project at St Luke’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in Canning Town, East London, to demonstrate how local solar energy sharing can reduce bills and emissions. The project involves generating solar power at the school, with any surplus allocated to nearby homes at a discounted rate. E.ON is calling for regulatory changes to support the expansion of such innovative projects by updating regulations and policy costs. The company argues that removing social and environmental levies from local power sharing agreements would support further investment and allow communities to harness the potential of a cleaner energy system. ([news.eonenergy.com](https://news.eonenergy.com/news/think-local-simple-changes-to-regulations-could-inspire-investment-in-cleaner-more-affordable-energy-for-millions-says-e-on?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/solar-projects/e-on-launches-uk-first-solar-sharing-pilot – E.ON has announced the launch of a new pilot in London designed to share the benefits of local solar power. A new solar installation, comprising 270 solar PV panels and capable of generating around 100MWh each year, will be installed at St Luke’s Church of England Voluntary Aided (CEVA) in Canning Town, East London. The school, which educates over 200 students, will benefit from the solar energy generated onsite, which is approximately 50% of the school’s annual energy needs. E.ON will fund, install and maintain the solar assets at no upfront cost to the school; the installation is set to save the school and local community over £7,000 each year. ([solarpowerportal.co.uk](https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/solar-projects/e-on-launches-uk-first-solar-sharing-pilot?utm_source=openai))
- https://essmag.co.uk/solar-sharing-pilot/ – E.ON Next has launched a ‘solar sharing’ pilot project at St Luke’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School in Canning Town, East London. The project involves generating solar power at the school, with any surplus allocated to nearby homes at a discounted rate. Instead of a physical connection between the school and homes, half-hourly metering data will match consumption and production, applying a credit to customers’ bills for the solar energy they use. E.ON is calling for regulatory changes to support the expansion of such innovative projects by updating regulations and policy costs. ([essmag.co.uk](https://essmag.co.uk/solar-sharing-pilot/?utm_source=openai))
- https://news.eon-uk.news/news/energy-sharing-communities-could-share-the-footprint-of-a-british-solar-revolution – E.ON discusses the potential of Energy Sharing Communities to complement solar farms and become a key part of the UK’s net zero transition. The company highlights that installing solar on all suitable roof space and car parks in the UK could generate 117GW, significantly exceeding the Government’s total solar target of 70GW by 2035. E.ON advocates for policy changes to support the expansion of such innovative projects by updating regulations and policy costs. ([eon-uk.news](https://www.eon-uk.news/news/energy-sharing-communities-could-share-the-footprint-of-a-british-solar-revolution?utm_source=openai))
- https://news.eonenergy.com/news/breaking-through-the-solar-ceiling-with-energy-sharing-communities – E.ON explores how Energy Sharing Communities can help unlock Britain’s solar potential by installing solar PV on public buildings such as schools, hospitals, libraries, and churches. This approach allows these buildings to meet their own energy needs while selling surplus to the local community. E.ON argues that policy changes are needed to support the expansion of such innovative projects by updating regulations and policy costs. ([news.eonenergy.com](https://news.eonenergy.com/news/breaking-through-the-solar-ceiling-with-energy-sharing-communities?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being 31 July 2025. The report is based on a press release from E.ON, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. No similar narratives appeared more than 7 days earlier. The article includes updated data and does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Ramona Vlasiu and the Right Reverend Roger Morris are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from reputable organisations: E.ON’s official news release and Solar Power Portal, a well-established industry publication. This enhances the credibility of the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about the solar sharing pilot at St Luke’s CEVA Primary School in Canning Town, East London, are plausible and align with E.ON’s previous initiatives in community energy projects. The narrative is consistent with E.ON’s advocacy for policy changes to support local energy sharing initiatives. The language and tone are appropriate for the region and topic, and the structure is focused on the main claim without excessive or off-topic detail.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and originates from reputable sources. The claims are plausible and consistent with E.ON’s known initiatives. No significant credibility risks were identified.
