Solar Together returns – residents can boost renewable energy generation, cut carbon emissions and save on bills with solar panel initiative
Residents of Hertfordshire are coming together to invest in renewable energy sources through a group-buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage.
Solar Together helps homeowners feel confident they are paying the right price for a high-quality installation from qualified installers.
Residents, including those from St Albans District, can join the group-buying scheme which offers solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points.
There is also an option to acquire retrofit battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate.
The scheme allows homeowners to increase their independence from the national grid.
It is free to register here from Monday 27 January and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation.
St Albans City and District Council (SADC) is working in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and iChoosr, experts in sustainable energy transition, to make the move to clean energy as cost-effective and hassle-free as possible.
Councillor Raj Visram, SADC’s Lead for Climate, said:
One of our priorities as a Council is to tackle the climate emergency and encourage the District to become net zero by 2030.
Our involvement with the Solar Together scheme is one of the many actions we are taking to achieve these goals.
The feedback we have received from residents who have taken advantage of the offer in previous years has been highly positive. Residents in St Albans District have been among the most enthusiastic in the county.
I urge any interested householder who has yet to make a Solar Together enquiry, to do so now. They can potentially cut harmful emissions and save money on their energy bills at the same time.
SADC and other Councils enable the scheme and do not benefit financially in any way.
Solar Together, which has already proven to be a hit across the county, operates like this:
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 are able to 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.
Marie-Louise Abretti, Solar Together UK Business Manager, said:
With energy prices continuing to fluctuate, residents of Hertfordshire 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.
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.
To date, Solar Together has installed over 16,480 solar panels in Hertfordshire, reducing carbon emissions by 31,180 tonnes over 25 years – equivalent to 17,000 cars off the road in that time.
iChoosr’s schemes have been delivered in partnership with local authorities in five countries. More than 200 schemes have led to 185,000 residents installing solar PV systems.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727- 819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.
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.