• Group-buying scheme to drive down solar panel costs for West of England homeowners, renters with permission and firms to open up for second round of funding applications

• Innovative scheme from Mayor Dan Norris's West of England Mayoral Combined Authority will help more residents bring down sky-high energy bills, and slash emissions

• Storage batteries and electric car charge points also available

Homeowners across the West of England will have another chance to save money on their energy bills by joining a money-saving, group-buying scheme for carbon-cutting solar panels.

‘Solar Together West of England', launched last year to enable residents to reduce their bills, while playing their part in slashing emissions in the region at the same, opened for a second round of registrations on Monday 28 August from West of England locals and firms.

This scheme from Mayor Dan Norris's Mayoral Combined Authority allows homeowners to band together to access comprehensive installation deals on a fully installed Solar PV system.

There is also an option to have electric car charge points fitted, as well as retrofit battery storage for locals who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more bang for their buck, and become less dependent on electricity from the grid.

More than 900 homeowners across the West took up the offer in the first round, with 842 installing solar panels and 640 adding batteries, making savings on around 18,000 tonnes of CO2 over the 25-year lifespan of the solar panels.

Mayor Dan Norris said:

"Many residents know solar panels have the potential to save them cash and cut those emissions at the same time, but sometimes there's a fear that the whole process can be daunting and confusing which can put people off.

"This scheme makes that process much easier, and that's borne out by all its achieved so far - hundreds of solar panels and the batteries that come with them already installed, and hundreds more on the way.

"I'm delighted more locals will have the opportunity to make the switch to clean energy, start to bring down those sky-high bills, and play an important part in the West's collective efforts to cut harmful carbon emissions, and reach our ambitious net-zero targets locally."

Local resident Stephen, who benefitted from the earlier 'Solar Together' scheme, added:

"For the sake of the planet and your electricity bills, get signed up for solar - it's far simpler and cheaper than you think! The contractors are excellent."

The Mayoral Combined Authority wants to make the transition to clean energy simple and hassle-free for locals. Solar Together West of England is being delivered in partnership with local authorities.

It is free to register and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation. Homeowners, renters with permission from their landlord, and companies from across the West of England can take part by visiting www.solartogether.co.uk/west-of-england.