Solar panels can help you make your own electricity and lower your energy bills and improve your resilience to rising and unpredictable energy costs.
More than 3,000 properties in the borough already have solar panels. More people are choosing solar power as a way to protect themselves from energy price shocks.
The money you save on your energy bills can help pay for the solar panels. How long it takes to recover your investment depends on your home. It can take about 7 to 10 years.
How Switch Together can help
Switch Together is a group buying scheme for solar panels and other home energy upgrades. Ealing Council is working with Switch Together to help residents get trusted installers and better prices.
By joining with other households, you can get a personalised offer for your home. You do not have to accept the offer if you decide it is not right for you.
Switch Together can help with:
- solar panels
- battery storage
- electric vehicle chargers
What you can expect
- Clear advice with no pressure to buy
- Installers checked by Switch Together
- Better value through group buying
- Support by phone or email if you need help
How it works
- Register your interest
Free and with no obligation. Register online to tell Switch Together a bit about your home and what you are interested in. - Group buying auction
Vetted installers compete in a reverse auction to offer the best-value solar and battery packages for your area. - Personal recommendation
You will receive a tailored offer based on your property, energy use, and goals. - Make your decision
You choose whether to go ahead. Support is available by phone or email if you want help understanding your options. - Installation and savings
If you accept, your system is installed by an MCS-accredited installer, with a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee as standard
Optional upgrades
Alongside solar panels, you can also choose to add battery storage to use more of your own energy, or a compatible EV charger if you drive electric.
All installations meet strict industry standards and are fully insurance-backed, giving you confidence in a long-term investment in your home.
Learn more and register on the Switch Together website
Check if you need planning permission
Solar panels generally do not need planning permission. However, planning permission may be needed in some situations: sometimes in conservation areas, and always on listed buildings. You should always check before installing a system.
For more information, read our planning advice for energy-saving improvements
Use an accredited installer
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a national register of approved installers.
Switch Together only uses MCS-approved installers. We recommend using an approved installer, whether you use Switch Together or arrange the work yourself.