Following the success of the 2022 and 2023 schemes, Swindon Borough Council alongside Wiltshire Council has again teamed up with iChoosr, independent group buying experts, to launch the third Solar Together scheme.
This initiative offers residents the chance to invest in renewable energy through trusted providers, reducing energy costs and their carbon footprint.
Solar Together leverages the power of group buying to secure cheaper solar panel and installation costs from vetted providers. The premise is simple: by banding together, residents gain greater buying power, enabling approved providers to offer more competitive prices than those available to individual homeowners.
The scheme provides options for solar panels (solar PV), battery storage, and electric vehicle (EV) charge points. For those who have already invested in solar panels, battery storage installation is also available, helping maximise the use of self-generated energy and reduce dependency on grid electricity.
Councillor Emma Bushell, Swindon Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Organisational Oversight, added, “We’re really pleased to be involved in the Solar Together scheme for the third year running. This tried and tested scheme has so far helped over 430 Swindon households access quality solar panels and battery storage installations at a competitive price. This is estimated to achieve a combined reduction of over 8,000 tonnes of CO2 over the 25-year guaranteed lifetime of the solar panels installed.”
Bushell encourages residents to visit the Solar Together website for more information, stating, “I’d encourage anyone who is considering whether buying solar panels to generate their own renewable energy is right for them, to visit the Solar Together website. It has lots of clear information to help decide.”
The reduced product and installation costs are achieved through a reverse auction, where vetted installers compete to offer the best price to registered groups. iChoosr’s nationwide efforts have facilitated over 33,000 installations, saving participants 10-25 per cent against market averages.
Residents interested in the scheme must own their house or have landlord permission to install solar panels. Small and medium-sized enterprises (non-domestic) and Commonhold Associations can also participate. Registration is free and open until 9th August 2024.
For more information, including likely costs and energy generation expectations, residents can visit the Solar Together Swindon website.
