Solar Together

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019. 

Two key actions in our commitment to tackling climate change include  

• an overarching goal to reach net zero emissions by 2030  
• encouraging greener choices in local infrastructure, building and planning

A key part of reaching these goals is improving access to green energy sources, including solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery storage.  

With this in mind, we have partnered with

• iChoosr Ltd - independent experts in group-buying and;
• the West of England Combined Authority

to bring Solar Together to North Somerset homeowners and make the purchase of solar panels more accessible.  

Solar Together is an innovative scheme which uses the collective bargaining power of local households to access high-quality solar panels, battery storage and installation at a competitive price. They will help you through the process and keep you informed at every stage.  

After two successful previous rounds, we’re running Solar Together for a third time.

Testimonials

People who have used the scheme before have told us

“When North Somerset Council contacted me with the idea of installing solar panels and a possible group negotiated lower cost for residents, my eyes lit up. 

It felt like a very ‘green’ thing to do and at a good price - which for me included battery storage. Installation went well (all done in a day). Monthly electricity bills are less - an immediate pleasant surprise. I am happy and ‘green’” - David, North Somerset 

Solar Together involves a five-step process  

1. Registration

You can register for free and with no obligation to buy. To register, you will need to provide details of your roof size and orientation.  

The registration period is now open. 

2. Auction 

Pre-approved solar installers will submit bids for the work in a reverse auction. The more people who register, the better the deal should be for each household. The installer with the most competitive package wins the auction. 

3. Personal recommendation 

After the auction, you will be emailed a personal recommendation based on your registration details. This will include your costs and specifications for a complete solar panel installation.  

4. Your decision 

The decision is then yours whether you want to accept the recommendation. There is no obligation to continue. We will let you know how long you have to accept your recommendation and update you before the scheme closes.  

5. Installation 

If you accept, the winning installer will contact you to survey your roof and set an installation date. All installations are planned to be completed by the end of June 2025.   

You can also watch this short video, which explains the process. 

EV home charge points

If you’d also like to install an EV home charge point, let us know during registration.  

Installing an EV charge point in your home gives you the convenience of having a charge point for your sole use, that’s set up for your specific needs. Charging at home is also generally cheaper than using rapid public chargers. 

Battery packs

If you already have solar panels but want to add a battery to your existing set-up, please register on the Solar Together website.

Community groups or small businesses

You can register for a maximum of 25 solar panels on the Solar Together website.

Planning permission

Solar PV installations are considered a 'permitted development' and will generally not need planning permission. 

However, in some cases, as in Conservation Areas and on Listed Buildings, planning permission may be required.   

See our Planning pages on permitted development for more information.   

• permitted development - planning permission not required   
• check if you need planning permission  

Lendology CIC are a not-for-profit, certified carbon neutral lender working in partnership with local councils since 2005. 

Find out more about their loan scheme for homeowners to help pay for solar panels and other renewable energy measures on their website 

If you have questions please visit the Solar Together frequently asked questions webpage.

If you need additional support, this is available from the Solar Together helpdesk via email or telephone: