The Growth of Build-to-Rent
The build-to-rent (BTR) market is one of the fastest-growing sectors of UK housing. Over 123,500 BTR homes were delivered in 2024, an increase in 170% in just five years (PropertySoup).
BTR provides a solution to various housing issues, especially in the South and London. It helps tackle the housing shortage while giving tenants flexibility, amenities, and long-term security that traditional rental models often lack.
For residents, sustainability is now a key priority. Research shows 75% of UK renters want their landlords to invest in green improvements to help lower their living costs (NatWest).
The Project:
Located in Cambridge, this project is a flagship BTR community offering thoughtfully designed houses and apartments, complete with green spaces, co-working areas, and modern amenities.
Carbon3 was selected to deliver a complete solar solution across the site.
Our work included:
- 100 pitched-roof solar arrays (4 kW each)
- 12 flat-roof solar systems (4 kW each)
- 361.05 kW total capacity across four apartment blocks
- 5-year Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contract to keep the system running at peak performance
Why This Matters
For residents, having solar built into their homes before they move in means lower energy bills through on-site renewable generation from day one. It shows a visible commitment to sustainability and net zero, while also giving residents more control over energy use, especially as rents continue to rise.
For the developer, solar provides a differentiation in a competitive BTR market, as well as strong ESG credentials to attract investors. Long-term asset protection is also covered with our O&M support, giving the developer peace of mind that these systems can run for 25-30 years.
The Bigger Picture
The BTR sector is set for another record year in 2025, with £5.2bn invested in 2024 and more than 57,400 homes currently under construction (Knight Frank). According to the same report, private landlords are exiting the sector in mass numbers due to the need for rented homes to be EPC C rated by 2030, which has increased demand for BTR homes that are already EPC C rated.
As the market grows, sustainability will be a differentiator. Solar PV is a practical, highly visible way to deliver both cost savings and carbon reductions for tenants.
Why Carbon3
At Carbon3, we bring end-to-end expertise: design, installation, and ongoing maintenance of solar, storage, EV, and heat pump solutions.
For this client, this meant:
- Reliable delivery across multiple roof types
- Smooth integration into a high-profile BTR development
- Long-term performance management through O&M
Building the Future of BTR
Carbon3’s work on this project shows how solar PV can transform build-to-rent developments into greener, more attractive places to live.
Residents enjoy warmer, more affordable homes, developers benefit from enhanced asset value, and the entire sector moves closer to net zero goals. We’re proud to be a part of it.
Ready to decarbonise your next BTR project? Get in touch with our team to discuss solar, storage, EV and heat pump solutions tailored for large-scale developments.
