Mendip Renewables is a community benefit society that owns and operates the 5 MW Whitelake Solar farm in Somerset. The solar farm, which is located on low grade agricultural land used for sheep grazing, has generated 10,000 MWh of renewable energy since it became operational in December 2015.
As a community benefit society, Mendip Renewables will facilitate the distribution of profits to charitable organisations in Somerset through a community benefit fund. The first charity to benefit will be Key4Life which delivers rehabilitation programmes for young offenders and those at risk of going to prison.
The bond offer
The money raised through this bond offer will enable Mendip Renewables to repay existing loans which were taken out in 2015 to build the solar farm. The project has been fully accredited by the government's Feed-in-Tariff scheme which guarantees a fixed price (rising with inflation each year) for the electricity generated by Mendip Renewables for 20 years.
The solar farm is expected to generate 5,000 MWh of electricity a year, which is enough to power the equivalent of around 1,290 homes and it is anticipated that around £1.4 million will be contributed to the community benefit fund over the 25-year life of the project.
Before deciding to invest, you must read the bond offer document. The offer document can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
IFISA eligible
Mendip Renewables bonds are eligible to be held in a Triodos Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA). Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) offer investors and savers a tax efficient way to save or invest. The IFISA is a type of ISA that allows you to include investments that have been made via crowdfunded offers and as with all ISAs, you receive interest tax-free.
To invest in Mendip Renewables bonds through a Triodos IFISA, after reading the bond offer document, select the 'Invest through IFISA' option. This selection will open a current year IFISA.
Transferring an existing ISA
If you want to invest by transferring an existing ISA to a Triodos IFISA, you must first request the transfer. You can do this under 'Account' once you've become a registered user on the platform.
Learn more about the IFISA
Key terms
Issuer
Mendip Renewables Limited
Use
Repay existing loans which were taken out to build the solar scheme
Term
Long term investment - the repayment of capital is expected to take up to 17 years
Interest
5% gross per year (paid net of UK basic rate tax unless held in a Triodos Innovative Finance ISA), increasing in line with the retail price index each year from 2019. Payment of interest and repayment of capital are not guaranteed.
Security
The bonds are secured by way of a second charge debenture over the solar assets but this asset security does not mean that capital or interest payments are guaranteed in any way.
Transferability
Bonds are transferable and may be sold on a matched bargain basis if there are willing buyers, which cannot be guaranteed.
Covenants
A negative pledge regarding other borrowings until the Bonds are repaid in full
Timetable
17 January 2018 until 4 April 2018 (unless fully subscribed earlier or if the directors, at their sole discretion, decide to extend the offer)
Capital at risk warning
Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Capital is at risk and returns are not guaranteed. You should only invest if you intend to hold this bond for its full 17 year term.
