32,000 solar panels and counting for Solar Together Suffolk project

The group-buying programme enables Suffolk residents to buy solar panels and battery storage, helping to save money on their energy bills and cut carbon emissions.

It is backed by Suffolk County Council and all local borough and district councils.

Solar Together Suffolk has been running for seven years, and in that time has:

• installed 32,024 solar panels at 2,651 Suffolk households
• installed 1,768 battery storage systems
• reduced 1,900 tonnes of carbon emissions across the county

It’s free to register with Solar Together Suffolk and receive an installation quote - there is no obligation to go ahead with the installation.

The project helps homeowners feel confident that they are paying the right price for a high-quality installation from qualified installers, and increases their independence from the national grid.

The scheme not only offers solar panels, but also battery storage and EV chargepoints. Customers who have already invested in solar panels can also get quotes for battery storage, to get more from the renewable energy they generate.

Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Environment, Communities and Equality, said:

“Solar Together Suffolk has installed an impressive 11.7 MW of solar panels across Suffolk homes.

“Many Suffolk customers have told us that the main reason for installing solar panels was for the benefit of the climate and environment, followed by saving money on bills and reducing their reliance on the grid.

“Homes still account for nearly a quarter of all Suffolk’s CO2 emissions. But we are helping homeowners and landlords reduce these through initiatives like Solar Together Suffolk, and the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan.

“We want to help residents make their homes and lifestyles as sustainable and energy efficient as possible – whether through improving insulation, how homes are heated, electric vehicle infrastructure, or solar panels and batteries.”

Marie-Louise Abretti, Solar Together UK Business Manager, said:

“With energy prices continuing to fluctuate, residents of Suffolk are looking for opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions, save on energy bills, and increase their independence from the grid.

“The Solar Together Suffolk group-buying scheme offers a straightforward way to make an informed decision and to access a competitive offer from a trusted, vetted provider.”

How does Solar Together Suffolk work?

• Householders can register online to become part of the group for free and without obligation
• Pre-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

Suffolk’s councils are working in partnership with iChoosr, experts in sustainable energy transition, to make the shift 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, and with local authorities in five countries aiming to accelerate the energy transition. The initiative aims to encourage residents to partake in the collective purchase of solar PV and battery storage systems.