A Cheshire-wide solar panel and battery storage group-buying initiative, which has already supported 190 Warrington households, is set to reopen.
The Switch Together scheme, powered by iChoosr and delivered by Warrington Borough Council in partnership with Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Councils, helps residents invest in renewable energy through a group-buying scheme.
While the scheme operates independently from the council’s solar farm ownership, it is consistent with the council’s wider renewable strategy.
It offers a cost-effective way to install solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) charging points, helping households generate their own clean energy and reduce the impact of rising energy costs. The scheme also offers retrofit battery storage for households that already have solar panels installed, helping them make better use of the renewable energy they generate.
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.
The Switch Together scheme also provides residents and businesses with an opportunity to combat rising energy prices by generating their own clean energy.
Residents can register their details on the Switch Together website to get involved. Switch 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, including costs and projected savings, 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.
If 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 for the scheme opens today, Monday 3 August, and closes on Friday 25 September.
Cllr Una Gillham, cabinet member for climate change, sustainability and the environment, said: “We’re proud to support the return of the Switch Together scheme in Warrington. It’s a fantastic opportunity for residents to make the switch to clean energy in a way that’s affordable and straightforward.
“We know many residents are interested in taking more control over their energy use and making their homes more efficient. This scheme gives people a straightforward way to explore whether solar panels and battery storage could work for their home, with trusted installers and no obligation to proceed.”
Warrington Borough Council still owns its portfolio of large-scale solar farms and continues to present them as long-term strategic investments, despite the wider scrutiny of the council’s borrowing and commercial investment strategy over the past two years.
The council continues to own three major solar farm investments, including sites near York, Hull and Cirencester. The Cirencester site includes battery storage and supplies renewable electricity to the grid while generating income for the council.
The investments remain part of the council’s wider capital strategy. The latest Capital Strategy states that all commercial investments, including solar farms, are subject to individual business cases and ongoing risk assessment.
During the Government’s Best Value inspection and the accompanying Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) review, the solar farms were examined alongside the council’s wider investment portfolio. CIPFA noted that energy markets are volatile, particularly regarding the York solar farm, but did not recommend disposing of the assets.
The council has said the solar farms have generated around £2.4 million in dividends, alongside loan repayments and significant carbon savings, while adding that it keeps potential exit strategies under review.
The council also continues to highlight the environmental benefits. Income from the Cirencester solar farm supports the authority’s climate ambitions and underpins its electric bus programme, with electricity generated by the farm intended to power the new electric bus depot.
For more information about the Switch Together scheme, visit: switchtogether.co.uk/energy/warrington, or to find out other ways you can take climate action, read the Warrington Climate Emergency Strategy or sign up to the new Climate Emergency newsletter.
