'People wanted to feel empowered'

Artists Hilary Powell and Dan Edelstyn are leading a green revolution after turning their street into a power station

- WORDS: EMMELINE SAUNDERS PHOTOS: PHIL HARRIS

As renewable energy overtakes coal for the first time, one street is taking itself off the grid this winter by installing solar panels. And residents hope to inspire other neighbourhoods to follow their lead and generate their own green power to tackle the cost of living and climate crises.

Led by artists Hilary Powell and Dan Edelstyn, 20 houses on Lynmouth Road, in East London, have had solar panels mounted on their roofs, saving 30 per cent on their energy bills and one has already made money by selling excess energy back to the National Grid.

Five nearby schools have also had solar panels put in place and Hilary and Dan hope that each home with the panels will not only save money on their bills but do their own bit for the environment.

Their project has been turned into a documentary, Power Station, directed by the couple, who started by asking their neighbours during the Covid pandemic whether they wanted to kickstart the production of green energy in their community.

It comes as renewable energy use rose to 34.3 per cent of global consumption in the first half of 2025 while coal's use fell to 33.1 per cent, according to think tank Ember.