Homeowners across Bath are being given the chance to save money on their energy bills by joining a regional group-buying scheme for solar panels.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris at a building site | Photo © Freia Turland
‘Solar Together West of England’ launched last year to help residents reduce their bills, while playing their part in slashing emissions
It has now opened for a second round of registrations from West of England residents and businesses.
The scheme from Metro Mayor Dan Norris’s West of England Combined Authority allows homeowners to band together to access comprehensive installation deals on a fully installed Solar PV system.
There is also an option to have electric vehicle charging points fitted, as well as retrofit battery storage for locals who have already invested in solar panels and want to become less dependent on electricity from the grid.
More than 900 homeowners across the West of England took up the offer in the first round, with 842 installing solar panels and 640 adding batteries, making savings on around 18,000 tonnes over the 25-year lifespan of the solar panels.
Dan Norris said: “Many residents know solar panels have the potential to save them cash and cut those emissions at the same time, but sometimes there’s a fear that the whole process can be daunting and confusing which can put people off.
“This scheme makes that process much easier, and that’s borne out by all its achieved so far – hundreds of solar panels and the batteries that come with them already installed, and hundreds more on the way.
“I’m delighted more locals will have the opportunity to make the switch to clean energy, start to bring down those sky-high bills, and play an important part in the West’s collective efforts to cut harmful carbon emissions and reach our ambitious net-zero targets locally.”
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) said it wants to make the transition to clean energy simple and hassle-free for residents. Solar Together West of England is being delivered in partnership with local authorities.
Councillor Sarah Warren deputy leader, and cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, added: “The first phase of the Solar Together scheme proved very popular with B&NES residents, and we hope that many more will sign up for this second phase.
“Because of the way the scheme works, the more people that participate, the better the price that Solar Together can secure and the more renewable energy will be generated.
“Homeowners who take part will be able to make the switch to renewable energy, while supporting our region’s shared ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030.”
It is free to register and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation.
Homeowners, renters with permission from their landlord, and companies from across the West of England can take part by visiting www.solartogether.co.uk/west-of-england.
