1,500 Wiltshire homes using solar panels to save on energy bills
The Solar Together scheme allows homeowners to buy solar panels at competitive prices
1,500 homes across Wiltshire have installed solar panels to save on energy bills and generate their own electricity.
They’ve been able to do this through the Solar Together scheme by Wiltshire Council, which allows homeowners to purchase high-quality solar panels and battery storage at a competitive price.
The scheme, which ran successfully in 2022, has been launched for a second year in 2023.
“We are really pleased to be offering this scheme for a second year running,” said Cllr Nick Holder, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change.
Cllr Holder added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for residents and local businesses to join together to access more affordable prices for installation of solar technology.
"The cost-of-living crisis is particularly challenging at the moment, and this scheme is one of the ways in which households can make long-term savings by generating their own renewable energy, whilst also helping our ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions across the county.”
In the first year of the scheme, more than 8,500 solar panels and 720 storage batteries were installed, allowing thousands of homes to benefit from generating their own renewable energy.
It is estimated to reduce the carbon footprint of these houses by more than 650,000kg.
'Hassle-free' switch to clean energy
The Solar Together allows the switch to clean energy to be as hassle-free as possible and supports people in each step of the process.
The scheme operates on a group-buying approach, working with iChoosr, who are independent experts in group-buying.
The core principle of buying as a group is that it provides increased buying power, meaning approved providers can offer a better price to a single home than they might get entering the market alone.
To register for the scheme, residents must own their house or have the landlord’s permission to install solar panels.
The deadline for registration is 11th August 2023.