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.

Hertfordshire residents can join the group-buying scheme, which offers solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points. There is also 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’s free to register, and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation. Hertfordshire County Council is 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.

Councillor Simon Speller, Portfolio Holder Environment and Performance said: “Group buying schemes such as Solar Together make it easier and more affordable for everyone to reduce carbon emissions, save on energy costs, and support a sustainable planet for generations to come.”

Peter, from Stevenage invested in 25 panels and a battery. He added: “The collaboration between the council and the solar provider gave us an opportunity to install solar panels at a very competitive price, without a hard sell and with the confidence that the council had done the due diligence on the provider to ensure they are a reliable company. The advice from the provider on all equipment and options was both helpful and comprehensible. The management of the surveys and installation was good and the installation went very well.”

How does it work?

• Householders can register online, using the button below, 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, added: “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.