Solar Together initiative open to residents in St Helens borough

Article date: 8 September 2023

Group-buying aims to make purchasing solar panels and batteries much more accessible and affordable than if residents were to individually buy solar panels on their own.  

So far, there have been 43 Solar Together schemes across 11 local authorities in the UK since 2015. As part of these schemes, more than 250,000 panels have been installed, which has avoided 460,000 tonnes of carbon overall, with more than 570 homes in the Liverpool City Region benefiting from a Solar Together installation.  

St Helens borough residents can now register their interest for the scheme, which offers solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points, as well as retrofit battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate.  

All residents living in the borough who own their own house or have permission from their landlord to install a solar PV system can register for the scheme.  

Although solar panels require upfront investment to install, they can increase the value of your home and save money on the cost of your energy bills.  

How to be part of the scheme  

1. Residents can register their details on the Solar Together website: www.solartogether.co.uk/st-helens/home  

2. Solar Together hold a reverse auction with pre-vetted installers, who compete to offer registrants the most competitive price.  
3. Registrants receive a personal recommendation for their home based on the information provided during registration.  
4. Registrants can then decide if they want to accept the recommendation, which will include information about the winning installer, the proposed installation, costs and savings. There is no obligation to go forward with the recommendation.  
5. If the recommendation is accepted, the winning installer will arrange a roof survey and set an installation date. All installations aim to be complete within six months of acceptance.  

Councillor Andy Bowden, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Climate Change, said: "As a council with aspirations of becoming net zero by 2040, we are pleased to join other local authorities in the Liverpool City Region and from across the country in helping to facilitate the Solar Together initiative, a fantastic opportunity for residents to explore group-buying as a route to generate their own energy while saving money on energy bills in the process. 

"If you have been considering installing solar panels on your home, I'd encourage you to consider Solar Together - a proven scheme offering a quality service at reasonable prices, helping councils like us respond to the climate change as we look towards a greener future." 

For more information about the Solar Together scheme, visit:  www.solartogether.co.uk/st-helens/home

For more information about St Helens Borough's journey to net zero emissions visit netzero.sthelens.gov.uk