The Greater Manchester community energy pledge aims to involve local people through share offers and by backing schools with installed renewable energy.
Community groups are setting up projects across the region, including in Rochdale, Stockport, Bury and Salford, to generate and distribute their own electricity, saving schools and community organisations money on their bills and reducing their carbon footprint.
Greater Manchester Community Renewables director Ali Abbas said: “Community energy isn’t just about doing something positive for the environment. It’s also about breaking the control of the big energy companies and putting power back in the hands of local people.
“Installing renewable energy can also help ease the financial pressure on schools and community groups by saving them money on their bills and generating funding for eco-friendly projects in the local area.
One community share scheme – which aims to raise £186,000 for solar panels at three primary schools and a community centre – is live. It will allow shareholders to receive up to 5 per cent interest on their shares each year.