Why is POP crowdfunding for community-owned renewable energy?

POP is crowdfunding to support our next stage of growth so we can scale nationally, build fairer finance options and develop digital tools to put power back in the hands of communities. 

In this post, we will cover:

🌱why POP started, and what we’re growing

💡why we’re crowdfunding, and why now

💰what we’ll do with that money, and how people can get involved

Where did People Owned Power begin?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkIOlFt2zbg

It started with questions. What if your home could power itself? If we could share power, instead of buying and selling it with the creaking, centralised grid? Could a street become its own power station? 

We have been asking these questions in communities across the UK for three years.

Some people are intrigued. Some sceptical. Some cannot fathom it. But some raise their hands to get started. 

For POP CEO Howard, this was the energy he’d been looking for since shifting from tree-occupying activist to solar-installing entrepreneur. Tired of asking for action, Howard took to the streets. Kickstarting a renewables revolution led by the people who use the energy: home by home, street by street, community by community. 

Since we started installing renewable systems (first as OneZero Energy, now as POP), over 100 households have taken power back into their own hands. Generating around 80% of the energy they need. Cutting their bills by buying less energy. Seeing savings when they sell excess back into the grid. Sharing recommendations to other neighbours. No sales pitch, just a tale as old as time: community members helping each other out.

We evolved to POP because we put people first in our operations. We wanted our name to do that, too.

What has POP built?

Those 100+ households aren’t just standalone properties. They’re clustered in 14 communities, across London, the South East and the South West of England. They are supported by our 110+ and growing Street Power Champion network. 

Our B Corp certification was an opportunity for external accreditation for what we stand for. Our 100.1 points ( 25% higher than the minimum threshold) represents how what we say is entwined with how we do it. We have been nominated for the Earthshot Prize, and selected as TheDrop 50 and BE100 in 2025, in recognition of the innovation in our model and commitment to powering a just energy transition.

We’ve supported filmmakers Dan & Hillary’s Power Station project in Walthamstow. Homes on Lynmouth Road generate more energy than the average house uses. More than 130 streets in the borough are now interested in bringing some of that community power to their street. 

Our first-of-its-kind project with BHESCo saw a community share offer fund low-to-no-upfront cost renewables systems for households in Preston Park. Homes save an average of £220 per year on the energy they purchase from their roof, without needing to own or maintain the solar themselves.

People owning a part of the renewables revolution is working. This ‘new’ approach that we’re trying to pioneer is one of the oldest. But there’s never been a time better than now to focus back on bringing power back into communities.

Why is POP crowdfunding?

Recent decades have exposed how fragile the social bonds of our society have become. But for every crisis, communities have come together to care for each other: offering a helping hand, establishing mutual aid projects, and rethinking what kind of world we want to live in. The government is catching up, with a renewed focus on devolution and community wealth-building.

POP started building by bootstrapping; growing at the pace of demand. As the need to scale up our operations reaches an inflection point, we’re crowdfunding to support the next phase of our growth. Institutional investment helps secure chunks of capital, but comes with its own processes to manage. Bids and grants help back specific, time and scope-focused projects. 

But at POP, we don’t just deliver projects. We back communities. And we want the communities invested in local, renewable energy systems to own a piece of that success. To see the trust they put in us generate benefits that circulate in their community. 

Crowdfunding is more than funding; it’s about community ownership. And it’s never been more critical for communities to have the power in their hands, instead of giving it away.

Why is now the time to back POP?

The UK’s energy system was designed to suit a certain structure of life, powered by a certain type of energy. Even as the lifestyles we live, power we use and energy sources we rely on have changed, our grid has not.

Beyond ageing infrastructure and slow-moving policy, our energy system is not an island. It’s deeply networked with global energy markets. Markets which suffer shocks and sudden shortages, when leaders we did not vote for take aggressive military action. 

The problem is getting worse: bills are rising, energy security is fragile, and households pay the price whilst big energy companies see their profits rise. We have the technology to generate energy locally, to be used locally, with the benefits staying locally. What’s missing is trust, and clear or affordable pathways for people to get involved.

We are crowdfunding to put power back into communities. So people can generate, store, share and profit from energy local to them. There’s three things we’re focusing on to make that happen:

💸 Funding vehicles, so more households can get renewables systems at no or low upfront costs.

📊 Digital platforms for communities to make data-driven renewable decisions.

🔋 Tools to automate importing, exporting and storing energy at the times the grid needs it most - and households will reap the rewards.

We want the people who believe in this, to be the ones who benefit from it - and to own a part of this journey.

What’s next on the POP crowdfunding journey?

Our crowdfund is open for pre-registration NOW - so you can commit to investing later. It takes just two minutes to pre-register, and it helps us focus our efforts on getting the word out if we know how much people are backing us.

Pre-register here

Equity crowdfunding means you’re buying a small stake in POP. For a minimum of £20, you’re investing in a people-owned power system. If POP grows in value, your investment could too. This campaign is EIS eligible, so most UK taxpayers can claim 30% of their investment back. (Please note that tax treatment depends on individual circumstance and is subject to change.)

This is more than supporting POP - it’s taking ownership of a more optimistic energy future. One which is affordable, fairer, and more secure. One that puts power back in the hands of people.

POP is crowdfunding so the people who believe in people-owned power, can own a part of this journey. Pre-register now for priority access when we launch for investment.

What is crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is when a large number of people contribute small amounts of capital to raise money for a specific project or organisation. Instead of relying on a single funder, it spreads the responsibility (and rewards) amongst a wider community of people.

What is equity crowdfunding?

Equity crowdfunding is when money is invested in exchange for a small ownership stake. This isn’t a donation: it’s an investment. If the company grows in value, your investment could too. Unlike buying shares on the stock market, this is an investment in an early-stage company, which carries more risk. Take 2 mins to learn more.

Who are Republic Europe?

Republic Europe is the trading name of Seedrs Limited, who are the equity crowdfunding platform hosting this campaign. They are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, ensuring this campaign is compliant with all appropriate legislation. Find our campaign HERE.

How much does it cost to invest?

You can invest from just £20, and there is no upper limit - although investments above certain thresholds might require additional verification. Investments are EIS eligible. Please note that tax treatment depends on individual circumstance and is subject to change.

What is EIS?

Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is a UK government initiative offering tax relief on investments in early-stage startups. POP has EIS advanced assurance, so most UK taxpayers can claim back 30% of their investment from HMRC, regardless of what happens to the company. Please note that tax treatment depends on individual circumstance and is subject to change.

What happens to my money if POP doesn’t reach its target?

If POP doesn’t reach its minimum funding target, your investment is returned in full. If that campaign closes successfully, you become a shareholder.

What will my investment be used for?

The proceeds of this crowdfund will support POP’s growth through three avenues: building local financing vehicles (bringing no-upfront-cost solar to households), building a digital platform to make data on renewable energy generation more easily accessible, and building tools so households earn money from their renewables systems by importing to or exporting energy from the grid when it’s needed most.

Can I invest if I’m not based in the UK?

Republic Europe accepts investors from a number of countries, but EIS is only available to UK taxpayers.

I’m not sure about investing, how else can I support?

You can start by pre-registering for free; it takes just two minutes and costs nothing, but helps us demonstrate community backing. You can also share our campaign with people who care about cutting their energy bills, building community wealth, and a fairer share of power. Contact us if you want some pre-written social posts or messages to share.

Investing involves risks, including loss of capital, illiquidity, lack of dividends and dilution, and should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio. Please read the Risk Warnings before investing. Investments should only be made by investors who understand these risks. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and is subject to change in future. Republic Europe does not make investment recommendations to you and any investment decision should be made on the basis of the full campaign. No communications from Republic Europe, through email or any other medium, should be construed as an investment recommendation.

Approved by Republic Europe on 22/04/2026.

Seedrs Limited (trading as Republic Europe) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Seedrs Limited is a limited company, registered in England and Wales (No. 06848016), with registered offices at Office 206, Cubo Soho, Ilona Rose House, Manette Street, London W1D 4AL.