Fully-funded solar PV, batteries, and heat pumps for Sussex golf clubs
BHESCo are looking for golf club partners who want affordable solar energy and low-carbon heating, installed for no upfront cost.
Talk to a member of our Projects Team to schedule a free, no-obligation call to learn more about our fully-funded solar panel and battery offer.
BHESCo want to partner with golf clubs in Sussex to introduce renewable energy generation and energy saving systems at clubhouses and maintenance facilities
Like all businesses across the UK, golf clubs have seen their energy bills explode as a result of volatile energy markets and weak regulatory oversight. Overcoming these escalating costs must be a key priority for every golf club facilities manager.
End your dependence on energy companies with your own clean energy systems, installed at no upfront cost. BHESCo will design, finance, and project manage the installation of energy saving and energy generating assets for your golf club, guaranteeing long-term energy security at affordable prices.
Contact our project team for a no obligation consultation to explore options for your golf course.
Why it is important for golf clubs in Sussex to improve energy performance
Most golf courses are 'off-grid'
By nature of their remote countryside location golf clubs are typically many miles away from the nearest utility connection. For this reason, most golf clubhouses and maintenance facilities rely on diesel generators and oil and LPG tanks to provide a reliable source of heat and/ or power.
Golf facilities can be energy intensive
Running a successful golf course can be an energy intensive operation. A reliable and affordable source of power is required for the operation of maintenance equipment, clubhouse kitchens and lighting, dining and changing facilities, and golf cart charging.
Improve energy efficiency and thermal insulation
In addition to energy consumption, maintaining a healthy golf course requires the distribution of a great deal of water around the site. A typical water pumping system can easily account for more than 25% of the annual energy use of a golf course1.
What are the benefits of installing energy saving and energy generating technologies at your golf club?
1. Reduced heat and power costs
Reduce reliance on rising commercial energy tariffs with on-site generation and efficiency upgrades
2. Establish new revenue streams
Sell excess electricity via the Smart Export Guarantee or use for EV charging
3. Enhanced stakeholder reputation
Demonstrate credible progress towards net zero to members and the public
4. Energy flexibility services
Earn additional value by supporting grid stability at times of peak demand
5. Meet new compliance regulations
Get ahead of changing MEES standards rather than reacting to them
6. Reduce energy market exposure
Generate and store your own power instead of remaining fully exposed to commercial tariff swings
Why work with BHESCo?
Unlike commercial solar and energy installers working on commission, BHESCo is a not-for-profit, co-operative energy services company. Our recommendations are shaped by what will genuinely reduce your energy costs, not by what earns the biggest sale. We’ve delivered nearly 70 community and commercial energy projects across Sussex, giving us the local relationships, contractor network, and practical delivery experience to manage your project from first survey to final installation.
Deep technical expertise
In-house knowledge across solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps and retrofit
No-commission model
As a co-operative, our team isn’t paid to upsell or oversize your system; recommendations are based on what your site actually needs
Strong local relationships
We only work with our established network of qualified local contractors and suppliers
Proven local experience
Seventy community energy projects delivered across Sussex, at no upfront cost to customers
No upfront cost to you
Financed through a Power Purchase Agreement, funded by our community investor network, not your operational budget
Values-led decision-making
Co-operative governance means decisions serve member and community interest, not quarterly shareholder targets
Long-term accountability
Ongoing post-installation support means we stay accountable for your system after handover, including maintenance
On-time, on-budget delivery
Projects managed end-to-end, with cost and performance overseen throughout
. . .
Dyke Golf Club
What are the best ways to reduce energy costs for golf clubs in Sussex?
The high levels of energy consumption experienced at golf clubs brings an abundance of opportunities for potential improvements.
Depending on the energy consumption of your golf club and the unique characteristics of your facility and location, potential improvements could include:
Golf clubs and solar PV
Removing diesel generators and replacing them with solar panels will significantly reduce the financial and environmental impact of your operations. Available roof space that is suitable for solar PV generation should be exploited to its maximum potential.
Generating your own on-site electricity will be considerably cheaper compared to the commercial rates offered by national energy suppliers.
The ability to generate renewable electricity will also open up new revenue streams for your golf club via the sale of excess electricity. Examples could include:
- selling electricity to energy suppliers via the Smart Export Guarantee
- selling electricity for use in electric vehicle charging
Taking advantage of battery storage technologies
The cost of battery storage has come down in recent years and their widescale adoption will form a crucial part in the development of a modern, flexible, low-carbon electricity network.
Installing battery storage technologies can deliver a suite of benefits and opportunities for your golf club.
Examples include:
- store unused electricity from your solar panels which can be discharged when required
- take advantage of Time of Use tariffs, charging the battery at times when energy prices are cheap and discharging at times when prices are high
- provide flexibility services for the local electricity network, absorbing electricity when there is a glut of renewables generation overwhelming the grid, and discharging electricity at times of peak demand
Heat pumps for golf clubs
It can be challenging to know how to cut heating and hot water costs for your golf clubhouse, which must provide space heating in winter as well as cooling in summer.
Thankfully modern heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling options for a lower cost and lower carbon footprint than traditional alternatives
Air to air heat pumps
Air to air heat pumps provide low-carbon heating in winter and air-conditioning in summer. When combined with solar PV and battery storage they can provide a very cheap source of heating and cooling. Hot air/ cold air is delivered throughout the building by indoor fan units.
Learn more about air-to-air heat pumps.
Air to water heat pumps
Air to water heat pumps can be used to provide hot water to showers as well as providing heat to rooms through radiators or underfloor heating systems.
Learn more about air-to-water heat pumps.
Improving energy efficiency and thermal insulation
Improving the thermal and energy efficiency of your clubhouse will provide a higher level of comfort for business tenants while reducing corresponding energy consumption and associated costs.
The lower your energy demand, the easier it is to meet that demand with on-site energy generation and battery storage.
Typical improvements could be smart zonal heating controls, or LED lighting upgrades.
In some cases it is possible to achieve energy consumption reductions of 15% or more.
Digital energy management and data visualisation
At BHESCo we believe that ‘what is measured can be managed’.
Integrating remote monitoring and controls into the heating, lighting, battery storage and power generating technologies of your clubhouse and maintenance building will enable facilities managers to gather data and gain new insight into the energy profile of your site.
Data visualisation and analysis can empower you to identify patterns and initiate improvements to processes and behaviour.
This could include adjustment of heat and lighting settings in response to new information, or creating a compelling business case for the adoption of new technologies where applicable.
Case Study
BHESCo partnered with Dyke Golf Club (situated north of Brighton) on a two-phase solar and battery project.
A 7.7kW solar array was installed on the roof of the maintenance shed, and connected to a 10kW battery bank. The existing lighting in the maintenance shed was replaced with all LEDs.
A 37kW in-roof solar array was installed on the roof of the clubhouse, in tandem with tiling upgrades to improve water-resistance.
Take the first step with a BHESCo feasibility study
Our Energy Saving Team will produce a detailed report recommending the most cost-effective solutions to remedy areas of significant heat loss and energy waste.
Our report will also measure and compare the anticipated reduction in demand that we can expect from installing different types of energy saving and/ or energy generating technologies.
In this way we can make conclusions about which combination of technologies will best meet the heat and power requirements of your golf club, as well as being able to provide upfront cost and future savings projections to help you make the best decision.
BHESCo’s industry experience and expertise makes us an ideal partner for golf clubs who are interested in improving the energy performance of their facilities.
Our Project Management Team will design a bespoke on-site micro-generation and energy saving system, identifying technology synergies to enhance efficiency and deliver maximum cost savings for your golf club.
BHESCo’s services and the installation of energy saving/ generating technologies are available for no upfront cost through our innovative Power Purchase Agreement.
Funding Your Energy Saving Measures
At BHESCo we understand that the upfront cost of installing energy saving measures for your business or organisation can be expensive.
That’s why we make our services available for no upfront cost to all of our customers.
We cover the upfront project cost on your behalf, and we enter into a Power Purchase Agreement with your golf club.
You agree to buy solar electricity from the solar panels/ battery, which gradually pays back the upfront cost of the system, plus 5% interest which we pass on to the project investors.
Once our loan is repaid you become the owner of your energy saving measures and will enjoy 100% of the savings for the lifetime of the equipment.
Where possible, we will always seek to access available grant funding to pay for some or all of the cost of your energy upgrades.
CAPEX funded by community investors
Feasibility & development done on customer’s behalf
Energy upgrades installed for no upfront cost
Savings from energy bills used to repay CAPEX + investor interest
Working with BHESCo vs. developing a project independently
Care providers can, of course, commission solar or heating upgrades directly through a contractor or broker. Here’s what’s different about doing it with BHESCo:
Going it alone
Partnering with BHESCo
Upfront cost
Typically funded from capital budget, a loan, or a lease with a commercial finance provider
Zero upfront cost — projects are funded by BHESCo’s network of community investors through our Power Purchase Agreement
Advice/ Recommendations
Often from the installer or broker who is also selling you the equipment
Independent, sequenced advice — we recommend what your building actually needs, not what maximises our margin
Commission incentives
Many installers and brokers are paid on the products they sell
BHESCo is a not-for-profit co-operative with no commission-based sales incentives
Technical oversight
Falls to your facilities or operations team, who may not have specialist renewable energy expertise in-house
Managed end-to-end by BHESCo’s project team — survey, design, installer selection, and delivery
Risk
Capital risk, performance risk, and contractor management risk sit with the care home
Project and performance risk are structured into the PPA agreement
Ongoing accountability
Depends on the individual contractor’s aftercare
BHESCo remains accountable for the system’s performance for the life of the agreement
Who benefits from the investment
Returns (where financed commercially) go to a lender or investment fund
Returns go to local community investors reinvesting in Sussex’s transition to clean energy
In short: an independent installer can install a solar array. BHESCo’s co-operative structure, zero-commission advice, and community investment model mean the recommendation you get is built around your building’s actual needs — and the project is funded without touching your capital budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will installing solar or battery storage cost your golf club anything upfront?
No.
BHESCo funds the full cost of design, equipment, and installation through a Power Purchase Agreement, financed by our community investor network rather than your club’s capital budget. You pay for the electricity generated, at a rate lower than your current commercial tariff, and the system is paid off over time through those savings.
How does the Power Purchase Agreement actually work?
BHESCo covers the upfront capital cost of your solar, battery, or heat pump system. Your club then buys the electricity or heat it generates at a reduced rate compared to grid prices. Those payments gradually repay the capital cost plus a modest rate of interest passed on to our investors. Once the agreement ends, ownership of the system transfers to your club, and you keep 100% of the savings from that point on.
Is this suitable for golf clubs with off-grid clubhouses or maintenance sheds?
Yes. Many Sussex golf clubs rely on diesel generators, oil, or LPG for power and heat because of their remote, rural locations. On-site solar and battery storage reduce or remove that dependence, cutting fuel costs and emissions without needing a new grid connection.
Will installation disrupt play on the course or clubhouse operations?
No.
Installations are scheduled around your club’s calendar and typically focus on existing roof space on the clubhouse and maintenance buildings. There’s no disruption to tee times, member access, or day-to-day operations.
What kinds of energy upgrades do you install for golf clubs?
Depending on your site and energy profile, this can include solar PV, battery storage, air source heat pumps for clubhouse heating and cooling, LED lighting, smart heating controls, and digital energy monitoring. Water pumping for irrigation can account for over a quarter of a golf club’s annual energy use, so this is often a key area we look at during the feasibility study.
What proof do you have that this works for golf clubs specifically?
Dyke Golf Club, north of Brighton, is a live example. BHESCo delivered a two-phase project comprising a 44.7kW solar array across the clubhouse and maintenance shed, a 10kW battery bank, and LED lighting upgrades. The project is projected to deliver £204,254 in lifetime financial savings and 133 tonnes of lifetime CO2 savings.
What proof do you have that this works for golf clubs specifically?
Dyke Golf Club, north of Brighton, is a live example. BHESCo delivered a two-phase project comprising a 44.7kW solar array across the clubhouse and maintenance shed, a 10kW battery bank, and LED lighting upgrades. The project is projected to deliver £204,254 in lifetime financial savings and 133 tonnes of lifetime CO2 savings.
How is BHESCo different from a commercial solar installer?
BHESCo is a not-for-profit, co-operative energy services company, not a commission-based installer or broker. Our recommendations are based on what your club’s buildings actually need, not on what generates the largest sale. We’ve delivered close to 70 community and commercial energy projects across Sussex, and we remain accountable for system performance for the life of the agreement.
What happens first if we want to explore this?
We start with a free, no-obligation feasibility study. Our Energy Saving Team assesses your clubhouse and maintenance facilities, identifies the most cost-effective combination of technologies, and provides upfront cost and savings projections so your committee can make an informed decision.
Are grants available to reduce the cost further?
Where grant funding is available, BHESCo will seek to apply it to your project to reduce costs further. This is assessed as part of the feasibility process alongside the Power Purchase Agreement funding route.
Who owns the equipment once it's installed?
BHESCo’s community investors fund the capital cost, and the system is repaid through the savings generated over the course of the agreement. Once that period ends, ownership transfers to your club, and all future savings are yours.