While sunshine might be the exception to the norm of British drizzle, on a bright day solar panels can create a flood of clean energy much cheaper than gas or petrol. To escape damage to the atmosphere caused by these fossil fuels, London-based Piclo is creating the UK’s first online marketplace for locals and independent businesses to share renewable energy.

From its website or app, Piclo shows users where electricity comes from and how costs change depending on demand and supply. Buyers can select the type of energy they prefer from a selection of independent wind and solar farms, while suppliers – such as individuals who own wind turbines on farmland – can tailor prices and track who uses their power down to the last kilowatt.

Good Energy, a 100% renewable energy company, has partnered with Piclo to offer users practical advice on development and pricing and is now being trialled in England, Scotland and Wales by private users and organisations including The Eden Project, one of the UK’s best known visitor attractions and educational charities.

Working with the community towards a cleaner planet, households and businesses in Britain are already one step closer to harvesting rain, wind and sun to convert into light, heating and hot meals.

Piclo is No.3 on the Best Atlas projects 2015. Find out what else made the list here. 

Piclo was mapped by author and  futurologist Mark Stevenson in his AtlasChart Top 5. Read his full FutureHero interview here.

Natasha Drewnicki has rendered her insatiable nosiness into a career in journalism and PR. When not juggling projects in Barcelona, she'll be surfing in North Spain or Cornwall.