Homeowners across West Yorkshire now have the opportunity to significantly cut their energy bills, thanks to an innovative new scheme spearheaded by regional Mayor Tracy Brabin. The programme, known as “Solar Together,” aims to reduce the cost of solar panel installation for residents, offering savings of over 40% for households that sign up.
This could mean a reduction of approximately £2,500 on the total cost, making solar energy more affordable and accessible.
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What is the solar together scheme?
The Solar Together initiative is a group-buying scheme designed to help local residents install solar panels at a reduced cost by joining forces with their neighbours. By pooling demand for installations, homeowners make it cheaper and more efficient for contractors to fit the panels across multiple homes at once. This cost-saving method is passed on directly to the residents, aligning with Tracy Brabin‘s broader environmental goals for the region.
The programme is part of Brabin’s ambitious vision to create a “greener” West Yorkshire, addressing both environmental sustainability and household energy costs. The scheme also includes the installation of energy storage batteries, enabling homes to store excess solar energy and become less reliant on traditional energy sources.
The mayor’s vision for greener homes
Mayor Tracy Brabin emphasised the significance of this initiative in her recent statement:
“We’ve kickstarted a home energy revolution – a wave of retrofits across West Yorkshire that could see households save money on their energy bills.”
The Mayor has made it clear that this scheme is part of a broader effort, dubbed “Home Energy West Yorkshire,” aimed at supporting residents in upgrading their homes to be more energy-efficient. Brabin highlighted that this programme will make home improvements “easier, simpler, and cheaper” for those wishing to reduce their environmental impact and cut costs.
By partnering with Solar Together, the Mayor’s office is pushing forward with plans to build a more sustainable and resilient community.
“Together, we will build a greener West Yorkshire with warmer homes and brighter communities for all,”
she added.
Benefits of group-buying for solar panels
Group-buying schemes such as Solar Together work by gathering a large number of homeowners interested in solar panel installation. This bulk buying allows for a more competitive price from vetted and trusted suppliers. The benefit of this approach is twofold: reduced costs for individuals and a streamlined installation process for suppliers.
Marie-Louise Abretti, UK Business Manager for Solar Together, commented on the fluctuating energy prices and how schemes like these offer residents a chance to become less dependent on traditional energy grids.
“With energy prices continuing to fluctuate, residents of West Yorkshire are looking for opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions, save on energy bills, and increase their independence from the grid.”
She further emphasised how this scheme offers a “straightforward way to make an informed decision” and access competitive offers from trusted providers.
How to register for solar together
Residents across West Yorkshire, including those in Wakefield, have until 13 September to sign up for this cost-saving opportunity. The registration process is simple and can be completed online. Once registered, homeowners will receive personalised information about their home’s suitability for solar panels and a detailed breakdown of the potential savings.
To sign up or learn more, interested residents can visit the official website at: www.solartogether.co.uk/west-yorkshire.
This collaborative effort marks a significant step forward in the region’s fight against rising energy costs and its commitment to sustainability.
