Community Solar-Battery-EV Charger Scheme
Cotswold Energy Chosen
After an extensive evaluation by the community energy champions and a shortlist of two suppliers, we decided to go with Cotswold Energy for the following reasons (the order is not significant).
The solution will give homeowners a modular choice of solar panels, battery storage and EV Charger with a number of options and sizes to meet individual requirements.
Next Steps
We are currently working with Cotswold Energy to create a webpage that will clearly explain the solution, including options and how to get a proposal specific to your home.
For more information on the scheme and how to register if you haven’t already – visit the scheme page.
The scheme is rolling out in Somerford Keynes Parish first. We are planning to expand to additional communities in 2023.
Local Business
Local business, which will be easy to do business with for the installation and support. We believe they will particularly value their local reputation and use of our project as a major reference. Which we felt would ensure we got a high priority
Proactive Engagement
Most proactive in their engagement, including requesting a site visit and strong engagement from the company owners
No Subcontractors
Their employees would do all the work (except for erecting the scaffolding and digging trenches if required for EV charging). Meaning all work done on your home is done by employees managed directly by Cotswold Energy
Best Reviews
Best reviews on Trustpilot
High Quality British Active Equipment
Offered high-quality British company equipment that provided a well-integrated solution across solar inverters, batteries, and EV chargers – all the active components of the solution. The integration will make it easier for homeowners to manage and monitor and for it to work well in an integrated and automated way.
References
One of the community energy champions had used them before for a solution and was impressed by their professionalism and they provided good references
Outdoor Installations
Handled well our questions and requirements for outdoor inverter and battery installation for some homes that do not have indoor space
Heat-pump experience
Strong experience with heat pumps which could be valuable for our future plans to help homes transition from oil and gas to sustainable heating and integrate this with the solar solution
Commercials
Cotswold Energy did come in a little lower, with less reliance on volume discounts which gave more assurance to the price homeowners will pay. However, the commercials were close enough that it wasn’t a major factor, it was really the strength of Cotswold Energy that swayed the decision to them.