Making renewable energy work for everyone

Solar power should cut bills for all of us

Energy bills remain unaffordably high for millions despite accessible solar power remaining out of reach. According to the Resolution Foundation’s Sunny day saving report, solar installation could reduce bills by 24% and help lift 1.2 million people from fuel poverty. A family with a 3KW solar system could save approximately £440 annually through self-consumption and grid sales.

The primary obstacle is affordability, solar panel installation costs roughly £6,500 per household, inaccessible to low-income families. Without financial assistance, clean energy benefits will concentrate among wealthier households.

Government support must go deeper

The UK government’s rooftop revolution initiative within the Warm Homes Plan provides up to £15,000 per household for energy efficiency upgrades including solar. Though potentially helpful, targeted assistance remains essential for lower-income participation.

Zachary Leather, Resolution Foundation economist, states:

“Rooftop solar panels can cut poor households’ energy bills by around a quarter and their returns compare well with other bill-cutting measures. But despite this win-win scenario, too few families, particularly in poorer areas, are getting them installed. The government should include a new means-tested support scheme for solar panels in the upcoming Warm Homes Plan.”

Beyond grants, government must provide simplified access, consumer education, and installation facilitation. Without these measures, solar adoption favors affluent homeowners.

A better way: local energy markets

Millions could reduce energy expenses through solar, yet grants alone prove insufficient. UrbanChain’s green energy marketplace eliminates intermediaries, enabling solar owners to sell excess energy locally at fair pricing while households access affordable renewable power without inflated costs or market volatility.

Scaling up: real-world impact

This model operates in practice. The Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council partnership created the UK’s first Virtual Power Plant in Brockmoor, a two-year initiative reducing household bills and fuel poverty while generating sustainable revenue. West Midlands Combined Authority funded this project.

Essex hosts the £5.4 million SHIELD project, addressing fuel poverty and emissions for vulnerable households through affordable energy solutions. Funded through Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund and managed with Innovate UK, UK Power Networks leads this initiative.

The future of solar: collaboration and investment

Achieving universal solar accessibility requires smart policy, market innovation, and investment. Government funding alone proves inadequate; private sector investment must drive transitions enabling communities, businesses, and local authorities to build scalable local energy markets. Collaboration between governments, businesses, and communities unlocks solar’s complete potential, ensuring energy savings reach those requiring assistance most.