Crowdfunding FAQ

The goal is to allow people who do not have their own roofs or enough savings to become a co-owner of a renewable energy installation. Bank loans are complicated and defeats the purpose of involving citizens. 

We see a few impacts: demonstrating a way where citizens can take ownership in the green transition, engaging the younger generation through the discussions and events we host, sharing our experiences and learnings so others can easily replicate the model. If you would like to join our effort organizing future events and activities, please feel free to reach out. 

Yes, you do get your money back :) Every year, based on the amount of electricity that is sold and the number of shares you own, you get some money back, similar to a "dividend". Based on our analysis, it takes between 10-20 years to recover the cost. The lifetime of the installation is estimated to be 25 years. In other words, your share will start to make a little money if you hold it for longer time. However, please remember this is NOT a financial investment product. Even though the goal is to make citizens benefit from the green transition, one should not expect to become rich by owning share(s) :) 

The returns you receive yearly has two component: the amount up to the depreciated value of the installation is not taxable (we assumed 20 years depreciation in our calculation), but the amount more than that will be subject to income tax. We will provide relevant information to SKAT every year, and that is why we need your permission to collect your information such as CPR number. 

We managed to crowdfund 900 shares in the "forhåndstegning" process for a 98 kWp installation. If you are interested in getting on the waiting list in case more shares become available, please write to us and provide a contact. 

We had initially estimated a share costs around 1000 kr before choosing a company to carry out the installation. In April 2024, 1komma5 Denmark is selected to carry out the installation. Based on their offer and accounting for other costs such as insurances, each share is now 900 kr. The price will be changed every year, based on the depreciated value of the installation. 

Anyone in Denmark can participate but we'd like to keep it local, so it is a plus if you live in Aarhus, even better if you are somewhat connected to Aarhus University (e.g. student, staff, alumni, etc).  The statutes of the cooperative (only in Danish) specifies membership requirement. If you are uncertain, feel free to write to us, and the board of directors will evaluate whether you can participate. 

We ran a reservation process from November 2023 to April 2024, where people could pay 100 kr to reserve a share (200kr for 2 shares, and so on). 121 people subscribed to 900 shares. If people jump off their reservation, more shares will be available. If you are interested in getting on the waiting list and be notified when shares are available, please write to us. 

When crowdfunding starts (including the reservation), we ask for your name, email address, telephone number, CPR number, and bank account number. The contact information are only used to contact you regarding the solar cooperative and the progress of the project. We ask for bank account number, so we can make sure that the yearly returns are paid to you. We ask for CPR number, because we are required to report to SKAT every year the list of members. You need to agree and sign a consent that we may colleact and store your personal information. 

Personal information is administered and stored in GDPR compliant system provided by EBO Consult, who acts as UEF's administrator. You always have the right to withdraw your consent. Read the personal data policy here. 

As a small association, UEF has limited resources. We wish to use the crowdfunded money on the solar installation. Plus, we checked with a few crowdfunding platforms but unfortunately they could not carry out all the functions we wished (e.g. reporting to SKAT yearly, distributing the money back to shareowners, etc).  So, we decided to follow the practice of most small Danish volunteer-run associations. 

We understand things happen and situations change. If you change your mind after paying for the reservation, you can choose to not to proceed with buying shares. In this situation, you forfeit the reservation, and the payment will be deemed as a donation to the solar cooperative. 

Right now we have 900 shares for the installation, where people had reserved their right to buy the shares. If you are interested in getting on the waiting list for more shares, in case some people jump off their reservation, please write to the board. 

Yes, you will be able to sell the shares. As we are just setting up and starting the first crowdfunding, there are not so much details on selling shares yet. But in the future, we aim to provide information on the website, e.g. waiting list for people who would like to buy shares. 

We think it is a very cool idea to give a share in the solar project as a gift, and we definitely would like to help you to make that happen. Please get in touch with the board at the email below, and we will explain the details and steps.