The definition of a community renewable energy project is flexible, with different groups applying the term to various types of schemes (Walker et al., 2007a). For the purposes of this project, a rural community energy scheme is installation of one or more renewable energy technologies in or close to a rural community, with input from members of that community.1 The scheme must benefit the community—either directly through supply of energy to multiple properties or a community facility, or indirectly e.g. through sale of energy generated to the grid. Community members’ input may be in various forms, for example project initiation, administration, construction, financial support, ordecision-making.