To install solar arrays on their other two sites, St George’s Church, Kemptown and City Coast Church, Portslade, they need to sell an additional £140,000 of shares. By buying shares, people become a member of the Co-op entitling them to a say in the city’s first ever community owned solar energy scheme.

This will enable the churches to receive discounted electricity and they will receive an annual return on their investment. The minimum investment is £400; the maximum £20,000.

But the Co-Op has a Government-imposed deadline for the project: installations must be completed before 1 August so they can secure the current feed-in-tariff rate.

The Co-Op is keen to attract more people to buy shares so it can raise the money to complete the city's first-ever community owned solar energy scheme.

For more information visit the website www.brightonenergy.org.uk