Solihull residents looking to cut energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint can now sign up for a renewed collective purchasing initiative focused on solar power.
Switch Together Solar, previously operating under the name Solar Together, enables households, small businesses, and community organisations to pool their buying power and secure competitively priced photovoltaic installations from vetted, accredited providers. The collective model is designed to lower upfront costs, removing one of the main barriers to adopting renewable energy technology.
The scheme also includes options for battery storage systems and electric vehicle charging points. Homeowners who already have solar panels can opt for battery-only installations, allowing them to store surplus energy for later use and maximise their self-generated electricity.
Registration opens today (23rd February) and runs until Sunday 26th April. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Once registered, suppliers will compete in an auction to offer the most attractive package, with potential savings increasing alongside the number of participants.
Successful registrants will then receive a tailored proposal detailing the winning installer and recommended system. Those who proceed will undergo a technical survey before installation.
Switch Together Solar is delivered by iChoosr, an organisation specialising in sustainable energy transitions, and supported by Solihull Council. The partnership aims to simplify the process of switching to clean energy while keeping costs manageable.
Since 2012, iChoosr has coordinated 137 group-buying campaigns across the UK, leading to more than 1.8 million solar panels being installed in over 162,000 homes. In Solihull, the previous iteration of the scheme resulted in over 1,600 panels and more than 150 home battery systems being fitted.
Alongside the solar initiative, iChoosr also offers Switch Together Energy, a separate group-buying scheme for gas and electricity tariffs, giving households an additional route to lower energy costs.
Cllr Andy Mackiewicz, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Planning, said: ‘Solihull Council is proud to partner with Switch Together Energy. We want to help our residents access fair, transparent energy deals, just as we work to make other household costs easier to manage. This is a simple, no-obligation way for people to fix their energy tariff and protect themselves from future price rises.’
Cllr Mark Parker, Cabinet Member for Housing, added: ‘Helping residents to decarbonise household energy is a priority for us. The energy we use in our homes accounts for a quarter of all carbon emissions throughout the borough. We also want our residents to have access to energy deals that are fair and transparent, protecting them from future price rises, and providing a no-obligation way for people to fix their energy tariff.’
Photo: Kindel Media
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