Published: Tuesday, 22nd April 2025
Medway residents will boost local renewable energy generation, cut carbon emissions, and save on energy bills with a community-led solar panel initiative.
Residents of Medway are coming together once again to invest in renewable energy sources through a group-buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage.
Solar Together helps homeowners feel confident they are paying the right price for a high-quality installation from qualified installers, and increase their independence from the national grid.
The group-buying scheme offers solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points, as well as retrofit battery storage for those who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate
It’s free to register here, and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation. Medway Council and Kent County Council are working in partnership with iChoosr, experts in sustainable energy transition, to make the transition to clean energy as cost-effective and hassle-free as possible.
Cllr Simon Curry, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration said: “Renewable energy generation is hugely important to battling climate change and improving sustainability, and Solar Together is a brilliant initiative that helps residents control energy usage, cut emissions and reduce their bills. The initiative has helped install Solar PV and battery storage for thousands of Kent and Medway households since 2020, and I hope thousands more are encouraged to join the scheme.”
How does it work?
- Householders can register online to become part of the group for free and without obligation.
- Approved UK solar PV suppliers participate in a reverse auction. They are able to offer competitive pricing as the volume, and geographic concentration makes it possible for them to realise greater efficiencies, which they pass on with lower prices for installations.
- After the auction, registered households will be emailed 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 help desks are on-hand throughout the whole process which, together with information sessions, will allow households to make an informed decision in a safe and hassle-free environment.
Marie-Louise Abretti, Solar Together UK Business Manager, added: “With energy prices continuing to fluctuate, residents of Kent are looking for opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions, save on energy bills, and increase their independence from the grid. The Solar Together group-buying scheme offers a straightforward way to make an informed decision and to access a competitive offer from a trusted, vetted provider.”
This year, households have until 11 July to register, and so far 2,796 people across Kent have signed up to hear more about the scheme.
iChoosr has been collaborating with UK councils since 2015 on its Solar Together scheme, aiming to accelerate the energy transition nationwide. The initiative aims to encourage residents to partake in the collective purchase of solar PV and battery storage systems. To date, Solar Together has installed over 38,700 solar panels in Kent and Medway, helping households avoid up to 3,440 tonnes CO2e emissions each year, with systems expected to last for around 25 years. This is equivalent to taking around 2,450 cars off the road every year.
iChoosr’s initiatives have been delivered in partnership with local authorities in five countries. More than 200 initiatives have led to 191,000 homeowners installing solar PV or battery storage systems.