He tells us the Government has commissioned research to find out what encourages people to get involved in community energy projects in the hope of generating more across the UK. So, what are these projects?

People across the country are coming together to change the way we think about our energy system and their relationship with it. From a community-run advice service in Hampshire that promotes energy efficiency to a community-owned windfarm just north of Swansea, to a renewable heat project in Herefordshire that replaces fossil fuels with locally grown biomass.

Today I will be visiting the Repowering London project in Brixton. Several hundred square metres of solar panels have been installed on six blocks in the Loughborough Estate and the project is providing work placement opportunities for local young and unemployed people from the estate.

He talked about the initial findings of the research which should probably surprise nobody:

Our initial research found that keeping energy bills down is the main driver for people to get involved in community energy projects. Environmental reasons - like the desire to be active in the fight against climate change - and the aspiration to help improve wellbeing in disadvantaged neighbourhoods were also key factors.

Why is he wanting to encourage such initiatives?

I strongly believe that there is appetite for this grassroots approach and want to see nothing short of a community energy revolution. I am supporting collective purchasing and switching to help more and more people to buy energy together, but I also want to see more people saving and generating energy together.

You can read the whole article and watch a short video about the Brixton project he visited yesterday here.

* Newshound: bringing you the best Lib Dem commentary published in print or online.