Solar Together launches in the West Midlands
Dudley Council’s boss for climate has welcomed today’s regional launch of a group-buying initiative for solar panels and battery storage.
From today, Dudley borough residents can join others who live in the West Midlands to take advantage of the Solar Together scheme.
Working in conjunction with West Midlands Combined Authority, Solar Together is helping homeowners to feel confident they are paying the right price for panels and connecting households with qualified and reputable installers.
The scheme, which already runs in other parts of the country, allows households to increase their independence from the national grid, offering information and reverse auctions for panels.
All residents who own their own house, as well as private tenants who have permission from the landlord to install a solar PV system, can register for free online now and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation.
Councillor Paul Bradley, deputy leader and cabinet member responsible for climate, said:
“Dudley Council is working towards being net zero by 2030 and we want the borough to be net zero by 2041.
“The Solar Together site has lots of useful information on all aspects of solar panels, including optional battery storage and EV charge points. There is also information on retrofit battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels but are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate.
“I would encourage residents to sign up and find out more, there is no obligation and it could help people to make significant savings from energy bills.”
Solar Together is also calling on experienced solar PV installers in and around the West Midlands area to join the scheme. MCS certified solar PV installer operating in the West Midlands area can register online.
Marie-Louise Abretti, Solar Together UK Business Manager, added:
“With energy prices continuing to fluctuate, residents of the West Midlands are looking for opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions, save on energy bills, and increase their independence from the grid. The Solar Together group-buying scheme offers a straightforward way to make an informed decision and to access a competitive offer from a trusted, vetted provider.”
Dudley Council, along with Birmingham City Council, Solihull Council and Sandwell Council are working in partnership with iChoosr, experts in sustainable energy transition, to make the transition to clean energy as cost-effective and hassle-free as possible.
iChoosr has been collaborating with UK councils since 2015 on its Solar Together scheme, aiming to accelerate the energy transition nationwide. The initiative aims to encourage residents to partake in the collective purchase of solar PV and battery storage systems.
iChoosr’s schemes have been delivered in partnership with local authorities in five countries. More than 200 schemes have led to 191,000 homeowners installing solar PV or battery storage systems.
More information is available for Dudley residents on the Dudley Council website.
Contact Information
Dudley Council
Notes to editors
How does it work?
● Householders can register online to become part of the group for free and without obligation.
● Approved UK solar PV suppliers participate in a reverse auction. They may offer competitive pricing as the volume, and geographic concentration makes it possible for them to realise greater efficiencies, which they pass on with lower prices for installations.
● After the auction, registered households will be emailed a personal recommendation which is specific to the details they submitted in their registration.
● If they choose to accept their recommendation, the specifics of their installation will be confirmed with a technical survey, after which a date can be set for the installation of their solar PV system.
● Telephone and email help desks are on-hand throughout the whole process which, together with information sessions, will allow households to make an informed decision in a safe and hassle-free environment.
About Solar Together
The Solar Together scheme, delivered by iChoosr, is a group-buying initiative that enables households and businesses to purchase solar panels at a competitive price. By teaming up with local authorities, the scheme is able to leverage the collective buying power of residents to negotiate better rates from trusted solar panel providers. This not only helps to make solar energy more accessible and affordable but also supports the UK’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Solar Together is currently responsible for 10% of MCS-certified (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) solar panel installations in England - the independent certification scheme that certifies microgeneration (renewable energy) products and installers.www.solartogether.co.uk