Community initiative to help Greater Manchester residents boost renewable energy generation

Greater Manchester residents are coming together as a community to create a group-buying scheme for solar panels on their homes.

Solar Together Greater Manchester help homeowners feel confident that they are paying the right price for a high quality installation from a vetted installer which will boost local renewable energy generation.

The new scheme follows three highly successful schemes run across the country last year which lead to over 1650 installations and an impressive 35,000 tonnes of avoided lifetime carbon emissions.  

Greater Manchester residents can now join Solar Together Greater Manchester, the solar photovoltaic (PV) group-buying scheme. It is free to register and there is no obligation to install panels.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has partnered with the districts of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan and the group-buying specialist, iChoosr Ltd, to bring this opportunity to homeowners across the city-region.

By working together with local councils, businesses and residents, Greater Manchester can be the UK’s leading green city region. Together we are taking action to achieve our ambition to reduce carbon emissions. This scheme will contribute to Greater Manchester’s aim to become a carbon neutral city region by 2038.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Climate change is the biggest challenge we all face in the world today. In Greater Manchester we have declared a climate emergency and know that urgent action is needed to put ourselves on a path to carbon neutrality by 2038.

“Green sources of energy are just one of the ways we can play our part for the planet and I hope as many people as possible get involved in Solar Together Greater Manchester.”

Greater Manchester Green City-region lead, Councillor Andrew Western said:  “The Greater Manchester Solar Together scheme is an innovative new scheme which will collectively deliver more local renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions. It’s a great opportunity to install solar PV panels at a competitive price.”

How does it work?

• Householders can register online on their local council’s website to become part of the group for free and without obligation.
• Pre-vetted UK solar PV suppliers participate in an auction on 22 October.  They are able to offer compelling pricing as the volume and geographic concentration will make it possible for them to realise greater efficiencies, which they pass on with lower for installations.
• After the auction, registered households will receive 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 helpdesks are on-hand throughout the whole process and information sessions will allow households to make an informed decision in a safe and hassle-free environment.

To find out more please go to https://www.solartogether.co.uk/gmca/home

Article Published: 02/10/2019 10:24 AM