Residents and businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire have a remarkable opportunity to cut energy costs and embrace sustainable living by participating in the Solar Together scheme.
This initiative, spearheaded by Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council in collaboration with group-buying experts iChoosr, offers high-quality solar panels and battery storage at competitive prices.
Following the resounding success of the inaugural scheme in 2022, which saw over 1,500 homeowners in Swindon and Wiltshire install more than 8,500 solar panels and 720 storage batteries, a second phase has been launched. These installations are estimated to reduce the carbon footprint of participating households by an impressive total of over 650,000 kilograms of Carbon Dioxide.
Making the transition to renewable energy can be intimidating for some, but Solar Together aims to simplify the process. The scheme provides comprehensive support, offering clear and trustworthy information to enable well-informed decisions and expert guidance throughout the installation journey.
Solar Together offers solar panels (solar PV) with optional battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) charge points. It also caters to residents who already have solar panels by providing battery storage installation, maximising their self-generated energy usage and reducing dependence on the grid.
The scheme leverages the power of group-buying, ensuring that joining forces leads to better prices for participants than they would obtain individually in the market.
Registration for the Solar Together scheme is currently open in Swindon and Wiltshire, with a deadline of August 11th, 2023. Interested individuals can register for free and, following a competitive bidding process managed by Solar Together, will receive personalised recommendations and costs from approved providers, with no obligation to proceed.
To participate, residents must own their own homes or have permission from landlords for solar panel installations. Small and medium-sized enterprises (non-domestic) and Commonhold Associations meeting this requirement are also eligible.
Councillor Jane Milner-Barry, Chair of Swindon Borough Council’s Net Zero Policy and Scrutiny Committee, emphasised the benefits of solar energy: “Swindon Borough Council is pleased to be offering a second round of Solar Together to give homeowners another opportunity to install quality solar panels and batteries at a market competitive price. With the volatile energy prices we have seen over the past year, now could be a good time to look into whether renewable energy is a smart investment.”
For more information on likely costs and energy generation estimates, residents of Wiltshire can visit www.solartogether.co.uk/wiltshire, while those in Swindon can access details at www.solartogether.co.uk/swindon.
To contact iChoosr, the organising entity, individuals can email wiltshire@solartogether.co.uk or call 0800 048 8113.
Swindon residents can explore their role in tackling climate change and learn about ongoing initiatives in the town by visiting www.swindon.gov.uk/bethechange whilst Wiltshire residents seeking further guidance on reducing their carbon footprint and accessing support or grants for energy efficiency in homes can visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/climate-change-individual.
The Solar Together scheme offers an exceptional opportunity for residents and businesses to embrace renewable energy, save on energy bills, and contribute to a greener future for Swindon and
