Making renewable energy work for everyone

Solar power should cut bills for all of us

Energy bills are still too high for millions. Meanwhile, affordable solar power is just out of reach.

The Resolution Foundation’s Sunny day saving report shows solar’s potential to change this. Installing panels could cut bills by 24% and lift 1.2 million people out of fuel poverty. A family with a 3KW solar panel system could save up to £440 per year, both by using their own power and selling excess energy back to the grid.

But the biggest barrier is cost. Installing solar panels costs around £6,500 per home: out of reach for many low-income families. Without financial support, the clean energy transition’s benefits will stay restricted to wealthier households.

Government support must go further

The UK government’s ‘rooftop revolution’ under the Warm Homes Plan aims to boost solar adoption by offering up to £15,000 per household for energy efficiency upgrades, including solar panels. This funding could help, but without targeted support, many lower-income families will still struggle to take part.

Zachary Leather, economist at the Resolution Foundation, puts it bluntly: “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. This could really get the ‘rooftop revolution’ up and running and ensure that the consumer benefits from this net zero transition aren’t just hogged by richer households.”

Alongside financial help, the government needs to give people clear and simple access to grants, educate them about the benefits of solar, and make installation easier. Without these changes, solar adoption will favour wealthier homeowners who can cover upfront costs and navigate the system more easily.

Even if the government expands funding, the way we buy and sell energy needs to change too. That’s where local energy markets come in.

A better way: local energy markets

Millions of households could slash their energy bills with solar, but government grants alone won’t get us there. Even with financial support, many families still struggle with upfront costs and overpriced energy. We need a smarter, fairer way to connect people with the benefits of renewables.

That’s where UrbanChain comes in. Our green energy marketplace cuts out the middlemen and puts power – literally – back in the hands of communities. Solar owners sell their excess energy locally at fair rates, while households buy clean, affordable power without inflated costs or market instability.

By reshaping how energy is traded, we’re making sure the rooftop revolution works for everyone – not just those who can afford their own panels.

Scaling up: real-world impact

This approach isn’t just an idea - it’s already happening.

Our work with Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council led to the UK’s first Virtual Power Plant (VPP) in Brockmoor, a two-year initiative designed to lower household bills, reduce fuel poverty, and create sustainable revenue streams. Funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the project’s objectives include cutting energy costs, reducing fuel poverty, and generating income to support wider community climate initiatives.

In Essex, we’re part of the £5.4 million SHIELD project, a major initiative focused on tackling fuel poverty and reducing emissions for vulnerable households. It creates smarter, more affordable energy solutions for low-income communities. By combining innovative technology with targeted support, the project aims to make clean energy accessible to those who need it most. Funded through Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund, this project is managed with Innovate UK and led by UK Power Networks.

Projects like these show what’s possible. But we need to scale up fast to make local solar work nationwide.

The future of solar: collaboration and investment

To make solar energy accessible to all, we need smart policy, market innovation, and investment. Government funding plays a role, but it won’t be enough on its own. Private sector investment must drive the transition, ensuring communities, businesses, and local authorities can build and scale local energy markets.

That’s why we’re working with solar installers, local authorities, and housing associations to create scalable local energy markets. When governments, businesses, and communities work together, we can unlock the full potential of solar and ensure energy savings reach those who need them most.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix our energy system. If we get it right, we can lower bills, cut fuel poverty, and build a fairer, cleaner future - powered by investment, innovation, and collaboration.