Swindon and Wiltshire residents still have time to register for the chance to embrace renewable energy for their homes and businesses by participating in the Solar Together scheme.
The initiative, backed by Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council in collaboration with iChoosr, renowned group-buying experts, is currently open for registration until 11th August, providing ample time for interested individuals to get on board.
Following the success of the first scheme in 2022, which saw around 5,000 people take part, the second round was launched on 5th June.
The Solar Together scheme offers a variety of options, including solar panels with optional battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) charge points. Additionally, those who already have solar panels can choose to add battery storage to maximise the benefits of renewable energy and reduce dependence on the grid.
One of the core principles of Solar Together is group-buying power, which enables approved providers to offer more competitive prices than individual market entries.
Anyone interested in taking part in the schemes can register for free and will receive recommendations and costs after a competitive bidding process managed by Solar Together. Importantly, there is no obligation to proceed with the installation once the quote is received.
Eligibility for the scheme requires participants to either own their homes or have permission from their landlords to install solar panels. Small and medium-sized enterprises (non-domestic) and Commonhold Associations meeting this requirement are also welcome to participate.
Looking back at the first round of the scheme in May 2022, over 1,000 installations were carried out across Wiltshire and Swindon. These installations comprised nearly 9,900 solar panels and more than 800 storage batteries. The collective impact of these installations is estimated to result in over 18,500 tonnes of carbon reduction over 25 years, which is equivalent to taking approximately 10,000 cars off the roads for an entire year.
Councillor Jane Milner-Barry, Chair of Swindon Borough Council’s Net Zero Policy and Scrutiny Committee, said: “I’m delighted that over 1,500 Swindon residents have already registered their interest in the Solar Together scheme. Installing solar panels and storage is a fantastic way to generate renewable energy, help the environment and save money on powering your home.
“There are only two weeks left to register your interest in the scheme, so I would urge anybody interested in solar panels and battery storage to register for free and without obligation to continue – you can decide if it’s right for you once you receive your personal recommendation.”
