When the Emma Rice Company created their new venue ‘The Lucky Chance’ at the former Portway Methodist Church on the edge of the town’s conservation area, they saw an opportunity not only to create a vibrant new cultural venue, but to power it sustainably. From the outset, solar energy was a key part of their vision for an environmentally responsible refurbishment.
Now fully operational, the venue features a 12 kWh solar PV array and 11 kWh of battery storage, installed on the roof and commissioned in May 2025. The system is expected to generate around 11,000 kWh of electricity per year, and on sunny days it can produce more electricity than the building consumes, allowing the battery to store excess energy for use later in the day or during cloudy spells. This setup dramatically reduces the group’s energy bills and carbon emissions.
The Emma Rice Company (formerly Wise Children) got the keys to the building in early 2022, just as the war in Ukraine began and electricity prices spiked, adding urgency to their renewable energy ambitions. Although they initially considered a biomass pellet boiler for heating, supply chain disruption made that option unreliable. Instead, they opted for an electric far-infrared heating system, which made sense given the difficulty of retrofitting insulation to the original church buildings’ walls and was designed to be powered by their future solar generation.
Although the church building is not listed, it is highly visible and sits on the edge of a conservation area, facing a main road. Planning permission was sought on the advice of their chosen installer, Ecovision, but was initially refused, partly due to a requirement for a structural survey and partly on the grounds of visual impact in the area. The Emma Rice Company successfully argued that a structural survey should be a condition of approval rather than a prerequisite, saving unnecessary upfront costs.
Deep engagement with the local community proved vital in demonstrating the venue’s community value and the lack of local objection to the proposed panels. This and strong support from Frome Town Council eventually led to approval by Somerset County Council.
Funding for the renovation, including the full cost of the solar PV and battery installation, came from a grant from the Wolfson Foundation. Multiple quotes were sought, and Ecovision was selected not only for price and technical quality, but also for their local base, which helped minimise travel emissions and ensured post-installation support. The venue also switched to a green electricity tariff with Ecotricity, reinforcing their environmental commitment.
In operation, the solar system has delivered significant financial savings and CO₂ reductions, while boosting energy literacy among staff. It has influenced decisions during the building’s refurbishment and continues to shape how the facility is managed as a rehearsal and public venue.
Key takeaways for businesses:
- Integrate solar early: include it from project inception, not as an afterthought.
- Make the community case: showing social and environmental benefits can sway planning authorities, even in conservation-sensitive areas.
- Choose local, reputable suppliers: local installers offer better oversight and long-term support.
- Combine PV with battery storage: this maximises self‑consumption and resilience, with batteries able to provide backup electricity supply during a power cut.
- Use grants and green tariffs: these can substantially ease costs and accelerate return on investment.
The Lucky Chance story shows that even heritage contexts can host effective solar projects when combined with early planning, strong stakeholder engagement, and sustainable decision making. The result is a low-carbon, energy‑resilient venue that powers theatre and climate action in equal measure.
