Built from the underground up: How SELCE’s Giovanna Speciale turned a tube journey into a solar force for good

How did one book inspire a solar movement? In this episode of the Solar&StorageXtra podcast, guest host Ken Davies sits down with Giovanna Speciale, Founder and CEO of South East London Community Energy (SELCE). Giovanna explains how reading a heartbreaking book on a train in 2009 became the community-powered movement of today that’s transforming Southeast London’s energy future. As a community benefit society, SELCE now has half a megawatt of solar across 11 sites including schools, community centres, leisure centres, and even a hotel – all benefiting the communities that use them. Hear how SELCE is blending renewable energy, community investment, and social equity to reshape the local grid - one rooftop at a time.   Key Topics & Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction by Ken Davies 01:11 – How a tearful tube journey led to SELCE 06:30 - What is a community benefit society? 07:15 – Finding space for solar 09:16 – The current state of SELCE 10:42 – SELCE’s commercial rooftop solar 14:50 – Making passive customers engaged 17:00 – Addressing energy poverty 23:00 – Hope for the future   Credits: Guest host: Ken Davies Guest: Giovanna Speciale, Founder and CEO of South East London Community Energy (SELCE) Producer: Catie Owen, Editor of Solar&StorageXtra Marketing: Katie Devaney, Marketing Director for Solar & Storage Live Europe This podcast is a Terrapinn production. Discover the latest solar and storage news at solarstoragextra.com  For podcast, editorial, thought leadership and commercial opportunities, get in touch with the Solar&StorageXtra team: [email protected]