fbpx

Solar Together: A Group-Buying Scheme for Solar Panels

Are you interested in installing solar panels on your roof, but worried about the high upfront cost? Do you want to join the green energy revolution and reduce your carbon footprint? If so, you might want to consider Solar Together, a group-buying scheme that helps you get solar panels at a lower price.

What is Solar Together?

Solar Together is a scheme that allows homeowners, small or medium-sized businesses, and tenants (with a landlord’s permission) to apply for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, battery storage, and electric vehicle charge points as a group. By joining forces with other interested parties in your area, you can benefit from economies of scale and get access to high-quality solar panels at a discounted rate.

Solar Together works by organising an auction where pre-vetted solar panel installers bid for the right to install the systems for the group. The installer that offers the lowest price wins the auction and gets to provide the service. You can then decide whether to accept the offer or not, without any obligation.

Solar Together is not a rent-a-roof scheme, where you lease your roof to an energy company that profits from the excess electricity generated by the solar panels. With Solar Together, you fully own the system and enjoy all the benefits of generating your own clean energy.

How much does Solar Together cost?

There is no cost to register with Solar Together, and you can withdraw from the scheme at any time before accepting an offer. The only costs involved are the purchase and installation of the solar panel system, which vary depending on the size and type of system you choose.

However, with Solar Together, you can expect to pay 30-35% less than the average market price for solar panels. This is because of the bulk-buying power of the group and the competitive bidding process of the installers. You can also save money on battery storage and electric vehicle charge points if they are available in your area.

The exact cost of your solar panel system will depend on several factors, such as:

  • The size and orientation of your roof.
  • The number and wattage of solar panels you need.
  • The type and efficiency of solar panels you choose.
  • The availability and capacity of battery storage and electric vehicle charge points.
  • The location and accessibility of your property.
  • The installer’s offer and terms and conditions.

You will receive a personalised offer from the installer after they conduct a technical survey of your property. You can then compare it with other quotes from different sources and decide whether to accept it or not.

How do you get involved with Solar Together?

The way Solar Together works is by organising group buying schemes in different local council areas in the UK.

The current local councils who are currently organising group buying schemes with Solar Together are:

  • Bedford
  • Blaby
  • Bracknell Forest
  • Central Bedfordshire
  • Charnwood
  • Elmbridge
  • Epsom and Ewell
  • Guildford
  • Harborough
  • Hinckley and Bosworth
  • Leicester
  • Luton
  • Melton
  • Mole Valley
  • North West Leicestershire
  • Oadby and Wigston
  • Reading
  • Reigate and Banstead
  • Runnymede
  • Slough
  • Spelthorne
  • Surrey
  • Surrey Heath
  • Swindon
  • Tandridge
  • Waverley
  • West Berkshire
  • Wiltshire
  • Windsor and Maidenhead
  • Woking
  • Wokingham

To get involved with Solar Together, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Register online at solartogether.co.uk with some basic details about your property and your interest in solar panels.
  2. Wait for the auction day, when installers will submit their bids for the group.
  3. Receive your personalised offer from the winning installer within a few weeks after the auction.
  4. Decide whether to accept the offer or not within five weeks after receiving it.
  5. If you accept the offer, pay a deposit and arrange a date for installation with the installer.
  6. Enjoy your new solar panel system and start saving money and energy.

The pros and cons of Solar Together

Solar Together has many advantages over buying solar panels on your own, such as:

  • Lower cost: You can save up to 35% on the price of solar panels by joining a group-buying scheme.
  • Higher quality: You can get access to high-quality solar panels from reputable installers that have been pre-screened by Solar Together.
  • Simpler process: You don’t have to do much research or compare multiple quotes from different installers. You just need to register online and wait for your offer.
  • Greater impact: You can contribute to a larger collective effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support renewable energy in your community.

However, Solar Together also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of, such as:

  • Limited choice: You have less control over the type and brand of solar panels you get. You have to accept the offer from the winning installer or opt out of the scheme.
  • Limited availability: You can only participate in Solar Together if there is an active scheme in your region. You also have to register before a certain deadline to be eligible for the auction.
  • Limited flexibility: You have to follow the timeline and terms and conditions set by Solar Together and the installer. You may not be able to negotiate or change your mind after accepting an offer.

Examples of successful Solar Together schemes

Solar Together has been running since 2018 and has helped thousands of households and businesses across the UK to install solar panels. Here are some examples of successful Solar Together schemes:

  • In London, Solar Together has installed over 3,000 solar panel systems, generating more than 10 MW of solar power and saving over 3,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
  • In Essex, Solar Together has installed over 1,000 solar panel systems, generating more than 3 MW of solar power and saving over 900 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
  • In Suffolk, Solar Together has installed over 800 solar panel systems, generating more than 2.5 MW of solar power and saving over 750 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

Next steps

If you are interested in joining Solar Together, you can visit their website at solartogether.co.uk and check if there is an active scheme in your region. You can also find out more information about the scheme, such as how it works, what to expect, and what others have said about it.

Alternatively, if you want to explore other options for getting solar panels, you can fill in a short form on our website and we will connect you with our trusted suppliers. They will provide you with free and no-obligation quotes for you to compare. You can then choose the best deal for your needs and budget.

Whether you choose Solar Together or not, we hope this blog post has helped you learn more about the benefits of solar panels and how to get them at a lower cost. Solar panels are a great way to save money on your energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and increase the value of your property. So don’t hesitate to take advantage of this opportunity and join the green energy revolution today.

Conclusion

Solar Together is a group-buying scheme that helps you get solar panels at a lower price by joining forces with other interested parties in your area. You can register online for free and receive a personalised offer from a pre-vetted installer after an auction. You can then decide whether to accept the offer or not, without any obligation.

Solar Together has many benefits, such as lower cost, higher quality, simpler process, and greater impact. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as limited choice, limited availability, and limited flexibility. You should weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision.

If you want to learn more about Solar Together, you can visit their website at solartogether.co.uk and check if there is an active scheme in your region. Alternatively, if you want to explore other options for getting solar panels, you can fill in a short form on our website and we will provide you with a free no-obligation quote for you to compare.

I hope this blog post has helped you understand what Solar Together is and how it works. Solar panels are a great way to save money on your energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and increase the value of your property. So don’t miss this great opportunity and join the green energy revolution today.

Feeling ready to invest in Solar Panels? Want to learn more? Your best option is to talk to one of our friendly solar energy experts on 01268 928 690 or click on the ‘Enquire Now’ button below and we will help you find the right fit for your home and budget. Remember we are both an MCS Certified PV (Panels) Installer and an MCS Certified Battery Storage Installer. MCS Certification is a mark of quality. Our membership of MCS demonstrates our strict adherence to these recognised industry standards; highlighting quality, competency and compliance.

NXTGEN Energy – Your Trusted Solar Energy Partner 💚

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Together

Is Solar Together worth it?

Solar Together is a fantastic way to get a solar panel system installed at a lower price than if you purchased a solar PV system on your own without the scheme — at least when it’s available through your local council. Ideally, Solar Together would always be an option, and the fact that it’s not points to a failure on the UK Government’s part.

What is the Solar Together scheme?

Solar Together is a unique group-buying scheme for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and solar battery storage. The Solar Together scheme is making solar PV and batteries more accessible and more affordable for a great number of people. With a group-buying scheme, it becomes easier to buy your solar PV system and battery storage at a lower cost.

Who owns Solar Together?

Solar Together is owned by the company iChoosr which was founded in 2008 and is privately owned by two co-founders. Before it entered the UK energy market in 2012, it focused on group-buying schemes in the Netherlands and Belgium. It now works with community leaders helping households select energy and solar power suppliers.

What is the Solar Together West of England scheme?

Solar Together 2.0: Second chance for West of England residents to save money, and the planet. Homeowners across the West of England will have another chance to save money on their energy bills by joining a money-saving, group-buying scheme for carbon-cutting solar panels by joining the Solar Together group buying scheme.

Do I still pay for electricity if I have solar panels UK?

After your solar panels have been installed, it’s time to enjoy the benefits! You’ll be generating clean energy and helping to reduce your energy bills. However, you will still have to pay for any energy you use that you don’t generate yourself that comes from your energy supplier and the National Grid.

Latest Solar Panel Grants Posts

  • Solar Panel Grants UK [2025]
    Are you looking for the latest information on solar panel grants UK in 2025? Did you know that solar energy is one of the most eco-friendly and cost-effective ways to power your home or business. But installing solar panels can be a big investment that not everyone in the UK can afford, especially now with… Read more: Solar Panel Grants UK [2025]
  • Thurrock Green Business Grant for Local Businesses
    Looking to reduce your environmental impact and boost your bottom line? The Thurrock Green Business Grant can help! This exciting program offers Thurrock-based businesses funding of between £2,000 and £8,000 to support their transition to greener practices. Fuel Sustainability and Growth This grant program is designed to empower local Thurrock businesses to make a positive… Read more: Thurrock Green Business Grant for Local Businesses
  • Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme
    What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme? The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme is a UK Government-backed initiative that launched on 1 January 2020. It requires the larger electricity suppliers, known as SEG Licensees, to pay small-scale generators, known as SEG Generators, for low-carbon electricity which they export back to the National Grid, providing… Read more: Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme
  • Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Scheme 2023
    Last Updated: 6 November 2023 Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Scheme (Including LA Flex) 2023 The current UK government Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme Phase 4 (ECO4) which is managed by Ofgem focuses on improving the country’s least energy-efficient homes and is primarily aimed at low-income and vulnerable households in the Great Britain. Through the ECO4… Read more: Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Scheme 2023
  • Home Upgrade Grant UK 2023 (HUG2)
    How to Get Free Solar Panels with the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) If you live in England and meet certain criteria, you may be eligible for a Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) that can cover up to 100% of the cost of installing solar panels on your roof. The Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) is… Read more: Home Upgrade Grant UK 2023 (HUG2)
  • Solar Panel Grants UK 2023/2024
    Are you looking for the latest information on solar panel grants UK in 2023/2024? Did you know that solar energy is one of the most eco-friendly and cost-effective ways to power your home or business. But installing solar panels can be a big investment that not everyone in the UK can afford, especially now with… Read more: Solar Panel Grants UK 2023/2024