Project overview
Carbon3 partnered with a Kent-based borough council to deliver renewable energy upgrades to a block of one- and two-bedroom social homes. The scheme included the installation of a 23.2kWp flat roof solar PV system, battery storage, and two 22kW EV chargers. Together, these measures are helping to cut energy costs and support the council’s wider net zero ambitions.
The challenge
Across the UK, rising energy bills are hitting social housing tenants the hardest. With Ofgem’s energy price cap set to increase again, vulnerable families are facing the very real risk of being pushed into fuel poverty.
Fuel poverty is more than a financial issue. For households already on tight budgets, high bills can force impossible choices between heating and other essentials. Cold, under-heated homes can lead to damp, respiratory illness, and a significant decline in overall health and wellbeing. Councils are under pressure to act not only to reduce carbon emissions but to ensure their residents are not left behind in the transition to net zero.
The Kent council overseeing this block of one- and two-bedroom homes needed a solution that could:
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Lower electricity costs for residents struggling with rising bills
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Improve comfort and health outcomes for vulnerable tenants
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Support the council’s own fleet decarbonisation goals
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Contribute to its long-term net zero strategy
Our solution
Carbon3 delivered a tailored renewable energy package to meet the council’s housing and sustainability priorities:
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23.2kWp solar PV system installed on the flat roof, generating clean, affordable energy for residents.
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Battery storage to capture surplus solar generation and ensure that low-cost power can be used when it’s needed most.
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Two 22kW EV chargers, providing dual benefits: charging capacity for the council’s electric fleet and accessible charging points to encourage residents to consider switching to EVs.
This integrated approach ensures that both housing stock and transport are addressed in line with the council’s wider decarbonisation programme.
The results
Residents now benefit from free solar energy and stored electricity, reducing their reliance on expensive grid power. For families on the edge of fuel poverty, this brings immediate financial relief and contributes to warmer, healthier homes. By cutting costs, the project helps protect tenants from the health risks associated with under-heated properties. This not only benefits residents directly but also reduces the long-term strain on local health services.
The installation of EV chargers supports the council’s ongoing transition to a lower-emission fleet. Vehicles can now be charged using clean, renewable power generated on-site, reducing running costs and transport emissions. Making charging infrastructure available to residents helps break down one of the key barriers to EV ownership. This supports the council’s ambition to accelerate the shift to cleaner transport options in the community.
By combining solar, storage, and EV charging in one scheme, the council is tackling multiple sources of emissions at once. This project is a great step forward in its wider net zero plan, future-proofing housing stock while delivering tangible benefits for residents today.
Why it matters
This project demonstrates how renewable energy can provide many benefits for local authorities. By directly improving the lives of vulnerable tenants, reducing emissions from both housing and transport, and supporting long-term financial and environmental sustainability.
By investing in clean energy infrastructure now, the council is shielding families from volatile energy prices, improving wellbeing, and laying the foundations for a more sustainable, resilient community.
If you need a scalable renewable solution for your social housing flats, contact us to find out how we can help.
