A GROUP-BUYING scheme designed to make it easier for residents to install solar panels on their homes has returned.

After 95 residents installed solar panels through last year’s group-buying scheme, the scheme returns to offer ‘high-quality installations’ from trusted suppliers to those who missed out.

The Solar Together scheme, powered by iChoosr and facilitated by Warrington Borough Council alongside Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Councils, brought together residents who were interested in installing solar panels, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging in the sub-region.

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.

This initiative provides residents and businesses with an opportunity to combat rising energy prices by generating their own clean energy.

Residents can register their details to get involved from today, Monday, on the Solar Together website.

Solar Together will hold a reverse auction with pre-vetted installers, who compete to offer registrants the most competitive price.

Registrants receive a personal recommendation for their home based on the information provided during registration. You can then decide if you 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.

When 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. Registration will close on October 18.

In 2023, over 6,550 residents across Cheshire and Warrington registered their interest, with a total of 584 installations completed, 95 of which were located in Warrington.

Furthermore, 89 per cent of participants chose to add a battery to their solar panel installation, the scheme facilitated a total private resident investment in renewables of £5,619,920, the scheme helped homeowners save a combined total of £1,880,975, and the estimated carbon emissions reduction over 25 years from the installations is more than 12,315 tonnes.

Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member for climate change, sustainability and the environment, Cllr Hitesh Patel, said: “I’m pleased that following the success of the Solar Together Cheshire and Warrington 2023 scheme, we’re able to once again support people to access greener energy solutions.”

“The scheme’s achievements underscore the community’s commitment to sustainability and energy independence, and we look forward to building on this success with the latest scheme this year.”

For more information about the Solar Together scheme, visit solartogether.co.uk/warrington.