Group-Buying Scheme For Sussex Residents Going Solar

Sussex residents who want to invest in renewable energy are being invited to join a group-buying scheme.

Solar Together Sussex makes sure homeowners feel confident about their installation from pre-approved installers.

People who join are also offered battery storage, which can be retrofitted - so far 300 installations have taken place in Sussex.

Cllr Roy Galley, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said:

“The first Solar Together Sussex auction was a great success and has helped hundreds of Sussex residents to install solar panels for a great price.” 

“In Wealden, it has helped our residents install over 350 solar panels and save over 33,000kg of carbon dioxide. With the publication of the recent IPCC report, it is clearer than ever that we all need to take action to curb our emissions, and generating your own electricity is a great way to help reduce your carbon footprint.”

The programme has already delivered almost 5,000 installations throughout the UK, which they say has reduced lifetime carbon emissions by over 80,000 tonnes. 

It is free to register and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation.

In partnership with independent experts iChoosr, the Council aims to make the transition to clean energy as cost effective and hassle-free as possible for its residents.

They say Choosr has a strong track record of delivering group purchase schemes for local authorities. It has worked with 160 UK local authorities on its collective energy switching schemes.

Marie-Louise Abretti, iChoosr UK Solar Manager said:

“The Solar Together group-buying scheme offers a simple process and the reassurance of a trusted and vetted installer for residents of Wealden who are looking for ways to reduce their carbon emissions, save on energy bills and increase their independence from the grid”

Cllr Deborah Urquhart, Cabinet Member for Energy and Climate Change, said:

“Generating and using more clean, renewable energy is vital as we work to reduce our carbon emissions and impact on the environment.

“We hope that this latest Solar Together Sussex round will give even more residents who have thought about installing solar panels the confidence to take the next step.

“The scheme offers them a straightforward process and the confidence of dealing with pre-vetted installers who can offer a high-quality installation at a good price.”

Households will be able to register free of charge for Solar Together Sussex between 23rd August and 28th September 2021.

The process is as follows:

• Registration: The homeowner registers their interest in the scheme for free at www.solartogether.co.uk/westsussex/home. They provide some basic information about their roof, such as size and orientation.

• Auction: A supplier ‘auction’ will be held on 28 September when approved solar installers will bid to supply solar panels to all the households who have registered their interest, with the most competitive bid winning. The more people that register, the better the deal should be for each household

• Personal recommendation: From the start of October, those who have signed up will be emailed a personal recommendation and quote from the winning supplier. This is based on the roof details given during registration.

• Decision: Those who have signed up to the scheme will then need to decide if they want to accept the recommendation and quote. There is no obligation to continue. They will have until 26 November to decide.

• Installation: If the recommendation and quote is accepted, the winning supplier will be in contact to survey the roof and set an installation date.

Telephone and email support will be available throughout the process.