Calne Community Solar PV Scheme
How it works - How to Apply
How it works - How to Apply
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Calne Community Solar PV Buying Scheme
Sustainable Calne has modelled its scheme on the excellent work undertaken by Zero Chippenham to devise a scheme where residents of Chippenham and Calne and the surrounding villages can buy Solar PV better, and where residents of SN11,12,13,14 and 15 are all welcome to participate. See below how to get access to cheaper solar panels for your home. |
How the Solar PV Buying Scheme works
Zero Chippenham identified two recommended suppliers (in this information page supplier and installer mean the same thing) who can provide great value (discounted prices), good quality product and good quality installation. Residents of Chippenham, the surrounding villages, Calne and Corsham are able to contact the scheme and confirm their postcode area is within SN11,12,13,14 or 15 (the postcodes currently participating in the solar pv buying scheme).
The scheme is open ended which means you can apply at any time.
Zero Chippenham identified two recommended suppliers (in this information page supplier and installer mean the same thing) who can provide great value (discounted prices), good quality product and good quality installation. Residents of Chippenham, the surrounding villages, Calne and Corsham are able to contact the scheme and confirm their postcode area is within SN11,12,13,14 or 15 (the postcodes currently participating in the solar pv buying scheme).
The scheme is open ended which means you can apply at any time.
Calne area postcoded residents (SN11) can apply by contacting the Sustainable Calne team via our Expression of Interest form here.
A copy of your expression of interest will be forwarded to
Zero Chippenham to enable them to monitor the scheme.
A copy of your expression of interest will be forwarded to
Zero Chippenham to enable them to monitor the scheme.
When you apply we will record your expression of interest and by return send you an email explaining what to do next: Part of the information we will email to you will be a link to our online questionnaire asking for some key information about you home relevant to Solar PV installations which will help us and the suppliers to efficiently manage your enquiry. When we receive the completed questionniare from you we will forward it to the scheme suppliers, and copy to Zero Chippenham to enable them to monitor the scheme. In turn the suppliers will contact you to make an appointment to visit (subject to any Covid-19 based risk assessment you may have requested, which you can do on the questionnaire - see below) and discuss your specific requirements.
When you go through the scheme you will receive expert advice and a no obligation quote which you will receive directly from the supplier. The supplier/installation company will be the company you place an order with and who you pay to do the work.
We always recommend you seek independent financial or legal advice as is your right before signing any contract or order.
Once your installation is complete we would love to hear from you about the scheme and also to ask if you would become a case study we can help to promote the scheme.
Covid-19 Risk Assessment
PLEASE NOTE: The Solar Installers who are part of the scheme are able to offer a Covid risk assessment based surveys and installations following government safety guidelines. If you are interested in buying Solar PV for your home via the scheme please get in touch as outlined above and feel free to ask for a Covid based risk assessment from the installers prior to undertaking any site visits. Please remember you will be contracting with the installers directly and as such they must provide you with all safety information you need prior to commencing any physical contact of any kind in order for you to make your own judgement on whether to proceed.
How does the discount work?
Zero Chippenham interviewed seven local installers who cover the Wiltshire area, all were asked to quote and three were then shortlisted based on a comparison of their prices, accreditation, track record and advice given. The shortlisted three were asked to provide prices that reflect being a supplier to the scheme. Their prices showed discounts ranging between 10% and 20% depending on the size and the selection of product used.
As you can appreciate, every house is different and so being able to offer a like for like comparison and be precise on the discounts possible is not a perfect process, which is why we quote a range of up to 20%. We appreciate you may wish to find prices from the local area to compare to the scheme as is your right. Zero Chippenham will be conducting reviews with the installers to ensure all the feedback from residents and the installers is being heard, and will make adjustments if there are changes required.
What are the outcomes we are hoping for?
People who are able to buy solar PV can buy it cheaper and get a better return on their investment.
Many people will not have purchased solar before and we hope to have delivered a scheme which has taken some of the pain out of selecting installers for our community. Zero Chippenham have ensured the installers can provide evidence of insurances, safety and quality accreditation. Installers are Microgeneration Scheme certified and are bound by the RECC consumer code.
Our area will achieve more uptake of Solar PV which will reduce our carbon emissions and help us hit our 2030 Zero Carbon Target.
Working with the local renewable energy suppliers will help us develop experience to develop future schemes which will cover other technology, bigger commercial installations and importantly find solutions to help those not able to buy their own solar to get it as well.
How does Photovoltaic Solar work?
Sun shines on panels which are made of silicon which creates an electrochemical reaction and generates DC electricity. DC electricity is carried via cables to an inverter which converts it to AC electricity (which you use in a house normally).
The AC power is fed into your consumer unit/electricity panel. If you are using power and it is generating you will use your solar power first. If you don’t use all the power it goes to the grid, and when its generating you will draw from the grid as normal.
How to get the most from your solar?
Your behaviour – How and when you use your power will determine how much you save:
- Use appliances when the sun is out (e.g. plan your washing machine, immersion heater use)
Additional technology can help:
-Smart meters will show you how much your power is costing you and which appliances are the most expensive to use
-Immersion heater devices linked to solar will heat your hot water when the sun is out
-Battery storage – still expensive, but can also help you use more power from your solar.
When you go through the scheme you will receive expert advice and a no obligation quote which you will receive directly from the supplier. The supplier/installation company will be the company you place an order with and who you pay to do the work.
We always recommend you seek independent financial or legal advice as is your right before signing any contract or order.
Once your installation is complete we would love to hear from you about the scheme and also to ask if you would become a case study we can help to promote the scheme.
Covid-19 Risk Assessment
PLEASE NOTE: The Solar Installers who are part of the scheme are able to offer a Covid risk assessment based surveys and installations following government safety guidelines. If you are interested in buying Solar PV for your home via the scheme please get in touch as outlined above and feel free to ask for a Covid based risk assessment from the installers prior to undertaking any site visits. Please remember you will be contracting with the installers directly and as such they must provide you with all safety information you need prior to commencing any physical contact of any kind in order for you to make your own judgement on whether to proceed.
How does the discount work?
Zero Chippenham interviewed seven local installers who cover the Wiltshire area, all were asked to quote and three were then shortlisted based on a comparison of their prices, accreditation, track record and advice given. The shortlisted three were asked to provide prices that reflect being a supplier to the scheme. Their prices showed discounts ranging between 10% and 20% depending on the size and the selection of product used.
As you can appreciate, every house is different and so being able to offer a like for like comparison and be precise on the discounts possible is not a perfect process, which is why we quote a range of up to 20%. We appreciate you may wish to find prices from the local area to compare to the scheme as is your right. Zero Chippenham will be conducting reviews with the installers to ensure all the feedback from residents and the installers is being heard, and will make adjustments if there are changes required.
What are the outcomes we are hoping for?
People who are able to buy solar PV can buy it cheaper and get a better return on their investment.
Many people will not have purchased solar before and we hope to have delivered a scheme which has taken some of the pain out of selecting installers for our community. Zero Chippenham have ensured the installers can provide evidence of insurances, safety and quality accreditation. Installers are Microgeneration Scheme certified and are bound by the RECC consumer code.
Our area will achieve more uptake of Solar PV which will reduce our carbon emissions and help us hit our 2030 Zero Carbon Target.
Working with the local renewable energy suppliers will help us develop experience to develop future schemes which will cover other technology, bigger commercial installations and importantly find solutions to help those not able to buy their own solar to get it as well.
How does Photovoltaic Solar work?
Sun shines on panels which are made of silicon which creates an electrochemical reaction and generates DC electricity. DC electricity is carried via cables to an inverter which converts it to AC electricity (which you use in a house normally).
The AC power is fed into your consumer unit/electricity panel. If you are using power and it is generating you will use your solar power first. If you don’t use all the power it goes to the grid, and when its generating you will draw from the grid as normal.
How to get the most from your solar?
Your behaviour – How and when you use your power will determine how much you save:
- Use appliances when the sun is out (e.g. plan your washing machine, immersion heater use)
Additional technology can help:
-Smart meters will show you how much your power is costing you and which appliances are the most expensive to use
-Immersion heater devices linked to solar will heat your hot water when the sun is out
-Battery storage – still expensive, but can also help you use more power from your solar.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a Government scheme launched in January 2020 intended to give you a way to sell your exported power onto the National Grid (power that you don’t use) to your electricity company.
