Solar, storage, and savings in one of the most complex residential sites
Social housing makes up a significant portion of the UK’s carbon footprint—and with over four million people living in these homes, the sector plays an important role in achieving national net zero targets. But alongside carbon emissions, there’s another urgent issue: fuel poverty. For many tenants, heating and powering their home has become a growing financial burden.
That’s why our client, one of the UK’s most ambitious local authorities on climate, is taking action. As part of its goal to become net zero by 2030, the council is upgrading its housing stock with technologies that reduce carbon emissions while helping residents save money. One of the most ambitious projects in this rollout was at a fourteen-storey high-rise.
The challenge:
Carbon3 was appointed as the principal contractor, responsible for overseeing the entire installation of a solar PV and battery storage system. High-rise buildings like this come with specific challenges around height, safety, wind load, and structural integrity.
The building had recently undergone a roof replacement, so any new work had to be carefully designed not to void existing warranties. Our in-house design team developed a ballasted solar PV system, working closely with manufacturers to ensure it was fully compliant with structural and warranty requirements.
We installed a goods hoist to lift materials to the roof and ran the AC supply through internal routes to avoid resident disruption. A disused water tank room was transformed into a secure plant room, housing battery storage and inverters.
Throughout the works, SMSTS-qualified site managers and a dedicated health and safety team were in place to ensure compliance and resident safety. And importantly, all installation works were carried out by Carbon3’s directly-employed DBS-checked engineers to ensure accountability, and consistent quality.
The residents:
At the heart of every social housing project is the resident experience. We know that entering people’s homes, especially in high-density or supported housing environments, requires care.
At the high-rise, residents remained fully informed throughout the installation process. Communications were clear and proactive, and access to homes was maintained at all times during installation. The feedback was positive, with no reported incidents and strong satisfaction from tenants and the council alike.
Energy performance:
The system is now generating around 20,400 kWh annually, offsetting over 5,200 kg of CO₂ emissions each year. But perhaps more importantly, it’s providing measurable savings to residents who are most vulnerable to rising energy prices.
The three-year O&M contract, awarded through the South East Consortium, ensures these savings continue long after installation. Carbon3 remotely monitors the system via our live management portal, which allows us to identify performance dips early and carry out repairs quickly, without waiting for annual check-ups or resident complaints.
The system is currently operating at 96% efficiency, compared to its original design output.
Supporting broader sustainability goals:
As part of the project, EV chargers were also installed to support the council’s transition to an electric fleet. These chargers are managed through Carbon3’s EV charging platform, giving the client real-time data, usage reporting, and the ability to set tariffs for different user groups. They’re also used by Carbon3’s own engineers during maintenance visits as part of our commitment to low-emission working practices.
We continue to support the client’s wider energy strategy with feasibility assessments, portfolio reviews, and tailored asset management plans, ensuring renewable upgrades deliver both carbon reduction and fuel poverty relief.
Setting the standard for social housing retrofit:
This high-rise is proof that large-scale energy upgrades can be done safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption. By acting as a single, trusted delivery partner, Carbon3 provided end-to-end support that aligned with the client’s carbon strategy, housing quality goals, and social responsibility values.
For housing asset managers looking to reduce emissions and improve resident wellbeing, Carbon3 can help you do both.
We’re here to help with your net zero strategy, from feasibility and funding support through to delivery and long-term O&M. Email us at info@carbon3.co.uk.
