Wokingham Borough Council has launched the second round of Solar Together, a Berkshire group-buying solar panel scheme.

Solar Together makes it easier and cheaper for residents and businesses to install solar panels and battery storage.

There are a number of benefits for installing solar panels including:

• Saving money on electricity bills

• Being a renewable energy source – the sun is clean and is an unlimited source of energy reducing the need to burn fossil fuels

• Reducing carbon emissions

• For residents and businesses who have already invested in solar panels, retrofit battery storage is also available. This is an opportunity for residents and businesses who are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate and increase their independence from the electricity grid.

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Last year was the first time the council offered this scheme in Wokingham Borough and the outcomes were impressive. Some 316 residents accepted their offers to go ahead with the scheme. And of that figure, 298 households and businesses installed solar panel systems (of which 256 added additional battery storage) and 18 purchased standalone battery installations.

This equated to:

• 3,184 solar panels installed

• 252,607 kg of carbon reduction, equivalent to driving 880,900 miles in a car

• An estimated 6,315,185 Kg CO2 reduction in 25 years

• £2,689,918 invested into renewable energy

• The carbon savings achieved are contributing to the council's dream of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2030.

Rhian Hayes, assistant director – economy and housing, said: "Last year, more than 300 residents installed solar panels and battery storage at their homes, and we are thrilled to be partnering with Solar Together again to offer the scheme to our residents and local businesses. The scheme presents an excellent opportunity for residents and businesses to invest in clean energy source for powering their buildings. By doing so, they can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, which we must gradually phase out to mitigate the impact of climate change and lower carbon emissions.

"I'd like to thank everyone who took part last year. It was great to see such incredible support, which is so important in helping us to reduce our carbon emissions while contributing to our dream of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2030. If you are interested, please register your interest now."