Devon Climate Emergency start solar panel group-buying scheme

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A group of private and public sector organisations have decided to make a major contribution towards helping Devon become one of the first counties to become net-zero. Their big initiative is to establish a solar panel group-buying scheme as part of their new Carbon Plan, which outlines a strategy with several different ideas for Devon to move towards the day it becomes carbon neutral.

Partnering with group buying experts iChoosr Ltd, the team at Devon Climate Emergency (DCE) are providing homeowners around Devon with the option to buy high-quality solar panels for their home at a price that includes a bulk-buy discount. 


The initiative is being led by Devon County Council with the support and partnership of ten different Devon planning authorities, namely East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, Exeter City Council, South Hams, Teignbridge District Council, Torridge District Council, West Devon Borough Council, Dartmoor National Park Authority and Exmoor National Park Authority.

It’s exciting to see these types of initiatives take place and look to solar as a means of making a positive environmental contribution at a local level, one that could make a real difference to Devon’s future and set the blueprint for other counties to follow. Solar Together is a key part of DCE’s desire to give local people across Devon the chance to be a part of reducing their own carbon footprints.


Recent research carried out at the University of Exeter found that around 20% of Devon’s carbon emissions were created by residential homes, with more than half of those homes relying on grid-supplied electricity. Moving towards cleaner, renewable energy is a key part of reducing reliance on the grid and creating a more eco-friendly future. It also offers financial incentives, with homes saving a great deal on their annual energy bills.

This scheme is one of a few that have been run across the UK to date, with the specific project in Devon designed to be a part of DCE’s aim to see Devon become net-zero by 2050.

It remains to be seen how many homeowners will have the means to join the scheme at the present time, but we love to see moves like this being made and will be watching with interest to see how successful the scheme is.

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