Social Housing Partner

Solar for Housing Associations

Reduce tenant fuel poverty, meet EPC targets, and decarbonise your housing stock with phased solar installation programmes. Access ECO4, GBIS, and SHDF funding with our support.

Tackling Fuel Poverty With Solar

Fuel poverty remains a critical issue in social housing. With energy prices at record levels, millions of social housing tenants across the UK struggle to heat their homes adequately. Solar panels offer a direct, lasting solution by providing free electricity during daylight hours, reducing tenants' dependence on expensive grid energy.

For housing associations, solar installation programmes deliver on multiple strategic objectives simultaneously: reducing tenant fuel poverty, improving EPC ratings across the housing stock, progressing decarbonisation targets, and demonstrating value for money to regulators and stakeholders.

At Midland Solar, we partner with housing associations across the Midlands to deliver large-scale solar programmes. We understand the complexities of social housing delivery, from tenant communication and access arrangements to funding applications and compliance reporting. Our phased approach allows you to spread investment over multiple budget years while making measurable progress against your targets.

Why Housing Associations Choose Solar

Reduce Fuel Poverty

Tenants save £200-£500 per year on electricity. Solar delivers savings automatically without requiring tenant action or behaviour change.

Meet EPC Targets

Improve EPC ratings by 10-20 SAP points per property. Progress towards the 2030 band C target for all social housing.

Access Funding

ECO4, GBIS, and Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund grants can cover a significant portion of installation costs. We handle all applications.

Decarbonisation

Reduce carbon emissions across your housing stock. Demonstrate progress against your sustainability strategy and net-zero commitments.

Tenant Satisfaction

Lower bills improve tenant satisfaction, reduce rent arrears driven by energy costs, and support health outcomes in cold homes.

Regulatory Compliance

Meet Decent Homes Standard requirements and demonstrate proactive asset management to the Regulator of Social Housing.

Funding Options

ECO4

The Energy Company Obligation scheme provides funding for energy efficiency measures in low-income and fuel-poor households. Solar PV is an eligible measure when installed alongside other improvements.

  • Covers eligible low-income tenants
  • Can fund full or partial installation
  • Combined with other measures
  • We manage all applications

GBIS

The Great British Insulation Scheme supports insulation and energy efficiency improvements for eligible homes. Can be combined with solar PV installation for a comprehensive retrofit package.

  • Supports comprehensive retrofit
  • Income-based eligibility criteria
  • Can be combined with ECO4
  • Reduces overall project costs

SHDF

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund provides grants to social landlords for improving the energy performance of social homes. Solar PV is an eligible measure as part of a whole-house retrofit approach.

  • Grants for social landlords
  • Whole-house approach required
  • Wave-based application process
  • We support bid writing

Phased Rollout Programmes

We deliver solar programmes at any scale, from pilot projects to full stock retrofits. Our phased approach fits your budget and operational capacity.

Pilot Phase

10-50

Properties

  • Test programme on suitable stock
  • Establish processes and reporting
  • Measure tenant satisfaction
  • Build evidence for board approval
  • Typically 4-8 weeks
Main Programme

50-200

Properties per phase

  • Scaled delivery with multiple teams
  • Geographic clustering for efficiency
  • Regular progress reporting
  • Tenant liaison team included
  • Quarterly phase cycles
Full Stock

500+

Properties

  • Multi-year programme partnership
  • Dedicated project team
  • Integrated with other retrofit works
  • Continuous improvement approach
  • Best volume pricing

Our Social Housing Credentials

MCS Certified

Full MCS accreditation

PAS 2035 Compliant

Retrofit standards

Tenant Liaison

Dedicated team

Proven Delivery

Large-scale programmes

Frequently Asked Questions

Solar panels provide tenants with free electricity during daylight hours, reducing their energy bills by £200-£500 per year depending on system size and usage patterns. For tenants already in fuel poverty, this reduction can be the difference between heating their home adequately or not. Solar is particularly effective because it requires no action from the tenant to deliver savings. The panels generate electricity automatically, and tenants benefit from day one without changing their behaviour or energy supplier.

Partner With Midland Solar

Arrange a meeting to discuss solar installation for your housing stock. We will provide a tailored proposal covering costs, funding options, and delivery timeline.