The text below is the transcript from the "Feasibility – Has a feasibility study been carried out?" video. An audio-described version of the video is also available.
Once you've engaged with your community and carried out your initial research, the next step is to test whether your project idea can actually work. That's where a feasibility study comes in.
A feasibility study explores the practical, technical, and financial details of your project before anything is built. It helps you answer key questions like, is our idea realistic and achievable? What are the most suitable technologies for our site? How much will it cost and how will we fund it?
This is also the stage where you may need technical assistance, expert support to help assess your options and make informed decisions about what's best for your community. It may also explore how the project will be delivered, what partnerships might be needed, and whether planning permissions or local authority approvals are required.
Think of your feasibility study as the bridge between an idea and a deliverable project. It looks at the site conditions, technology options, and local constraints. For example, can we fit solar panels on local buildings, and are those rooftops suitable and in good condition? Could we install a small hydro system on the local river? Is the flow strong enough, and are there environmental considerations? Is there an open, windy location where small turbines could realistically operate?
Your feasibility study should also assess costs, potential revenue, and funding options. Consider local investment, grants, and community share schemes. This is also the stage to think about governance and organizational structure, ensuring you have the right setup in place to manage delivery.
An essential part of this stage is consulting your distribution network operator or DNO. They'll confirm whether your project can connect to the electricity network and identify any local limitations. For instance, you might plan to install 2,000 solar panels across public buildings, but the local grid may only have capacity for 1,000. Your DNO can help you understand these limits and outline the next steps for connection.
Once your feasibility study is complete, you'll have a clear understanding of what's possible and how to move forward. It also provides the foundation for your business plan and project management process in the next stages. A thorough feasibility study gives you the confidence to move from ideas to action, knowing your project is practical, affordable, and achievable for your community.