Save on Solar with Cotswold Home Solar

Looking to save money on your energy and help Cotswold reach net zero? 

MakeMyHouseGreen is a proud partner of Cotswold District Council

Our free online tool can help you to understand your options, costs and savings.

£500 discount for Cotswold residents and businesses

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Illustration of a house with solar panels on the roof and an electric car charging beside it

Working in partnership with

Nationwide partnershipThe Times partnershipThe Times partnershipThe Guardian partnershipMCS partnershipCheckatrade partnership

What is Cotswold Home Solar?

At Cotswold District Council we know that buying solar panels and/or storage batteries can have benefits for your pocket and for the planet. But we also know it’s a big financial commitment, and many people want reliable, trustworthy advice before they make the jump.

We also want to see more rooftop solar in the district – we’ve declared a climate emergency, and this is an example of practical action we can take to support householders, which reduces climate-damaging carbon emissions in the district.

We’ve created Cotswold Home Solar to do just that. It’s a scheme designed to make it as easy as possible for residents to be well informed, understand and explore their options, minimise their risks, and help them achieve a reliable, cost-effective installation.

Cotswold District Councillor Mike McKeown holding a solar panel to launch the Cotswold Home Solar Scheme

Why has the council partnered with MakeMyHouseGreen?

The council has chosen MakeMyHouseGreen as our delivery partner for Cotswold Home Solar because of their proven PV partnerships with other well-known organisations such as Nationwide Building Society, Wickes and Santander.

MakeMyHouseGreen has a market-leading solar calculator that homeowners can use to find out how many solar panels their roof can accommodate and get highly accurate estimates of the price and savings on their bills that are specific to their home. It uses technology to deliver a smooth, quality installation for its customers.

Cotswold District Council logo

MakeMyHouseGreen has a well-designed web platform that homeowners can use to find out how many solar panels their house can accommodate, get an estimated installation price, and track the process from initial estimate to completed installation. You can also monitor performance over time.

MakeMyHouseGreen uses very carefully vetted installers based nearby. The council has confirmed that MakeMyHouseGreen uses only good quality equipment with good warranties.

Logo reading 'MakeMyHouseGreen' with a stylized solar panel icon.

Because the council has negotiated the Cotswold Home Solar scheme for the whole district, householders will benefit from a £500 discount on MakeMyHouseGreen’s usual installation cost.

One of the most common objections to solar panels is that ‘they look unsightly’. MakeMyHouseGreen use ‘all black’ panels which are less intrusive visually and blend in much better than older style panels.

Cotswold Home Solar logo.
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What do I need to consider when Deciding to buy solar PV or battery storage for my house?

If you can, talk to any neighbours or friends who have PV or batteries installed, and find out about their experience. If you get a sales call, always resist any ‘pressure selling’ – for example don’t be taken in by a salesperson claiming that a special discount is ‘for today only’ and pushing you to sign up quickly. Take your time and do your research. We recommend the following good advice providers:

How can I Choose A Good Contractor?

There are lots of companies installing solar panels and batteries – some are well-run with a good reputation, and others less so. It can be hard to tell the good from the bad. The following things might help:

  • We would always recommend getting more than one quotation, whether or not you choose to use us, the council’s partner.

  • When you’re comparing quotations, always look at the warranty periods offered for the equipment, and the length of the installer guarantee, i.e. to fix any problems that might arise from the installation itself.

  • Always look for customer feedback through reputable review sites such as Trustpilot.

  • Any installer should be registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), meaning they have to conform to strict quality standards in the installation.

  • You should also make sure that any installer you might use is registered with a reputable consumer code that covers PV – typical ones are the Home Insulation and Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES), the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) and the government’s Trustmark scheme.

If I do want to use the cotswold home solar scheme, what do i do next?

Cotswold Home Solar has been created to offer some simple advice and dos and don’ts for home solar, and then to invite district residents, with no pressure selling and no obligation, to get a price estimate from us.

We recommend that you get other estimates too, and compare those to the estimate you get from us, making sure you’re comparing like with like including customer satisfaction scores and warranty periods

FAQs

How does the partnership work between Cotswold District Council and MakeMyHouseGreen?

Cotswold District Council has teamed up with MakeMyHouseGreen to provide residents with a trusted, expert-led pathway to renewable energy. This partnership aims to make solar installations more accessible and affordable, helping the district reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills.

While the Council supports the initiative to reach local sustainability goals, MakeMyHouseGreen provides the technical platform, custom system designs, and access to vetted, MCS-accredited installers. Residents can track their entire journey from the initial estimate to final installation through our dedicated platform.

Do I need planning permission for solar panels in the Cotswold district?

For most homes in the Cotswold district, installing solar is a straightforward process that falls under "Permitted Development," meaning you typically won't need to apply for formal planning permission. The rules are generally designed to be helpful, though there are special considerations for our area's beautiful historic buildings. If your home is a listed building or sits within a particularly sensitive part of a Conservation Area, we simply take a bit of extra care to ensure your system is designed in a way that respects the local character.

We’re here to make the journey as smooth and reassuring as possible. Our experts specialize in creating thoughtful, bespoke designs, like using low-profile 'all-black' panels that blend beautifully with traditional rooflines, while helping you move toward energy independence. While we can’t provide a 100% guarantee on planning outcomes, we handle the heavy lifting by providing the detailed models and support you need to feel confident in your solar installation.

Do you install solar panels on Cotswold stone roofs?

We certainly do. While Cotswold stone and slate roofs are more delicate than standard tiling, our specialist installers use tailored techniques to ensure a safe installation. This process involves using specialised mounting brackets and careful handling to prevent any damage to the fragile stones. Because this requires a higher level of craftsmanship and extra time to ensure your roof remains weather-tight, these solar installations may take slightly longer than standard projects.

Can I have a solar installation on a complex roof or outbuilding?

We specialise in bespoke solar installations that cater to the unique architecture of the Cotswolds, including multi-face roofs and outbuildings. Our technology allows us to design a custom system that can be split across different roof faces or extended to structures like stables and barns to maximise your energy generation. We design custom systems tailored to your home and its specific layout rather than using a "one-size-fits-all" approach.

How do I find out if solar is right for my home?

The best way to determine if solar is a good fit is to chat with our solar experts for a free assessment. We look at several factors specific to your Cotswold property, including:

  • Roof Orientation: South-facing is ideal, but east- and west-facing roofs also perform well.
  • Daylight Exposure: We assess potential shading from nearby trees or chimneys that could impact your output.
  • Energy Goals: We review your annual energy usage to determine the optimal system size for your needs.
What does the process look like, and is there a cost?

The journey begins with a free no-obligation expert consultation.

  • Step 1: Consultation: We use our solar calculator to provide a clear picture of what you could save with solar.
  • Step 2: Custom Design: One of our Green Gurus works with you to create a bespoke plan with no pressure to buy.
  • Step 3: Installation: Once you are happy with the plan, our MCS-accredited installers will fit your system, usually in under six weeks.
  • Step 4: Peace of Mind: All our panels come with a 25-year performance warranty to ensure long-term energy independence.

Ready to see what you can save?

Our solar calculator is 100% free to use. Enter your postcode below to get started.

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For each successful installation, the council will be paid £50 by MakeMyHouseGreen, to help offset the costs of creating and running the scheme.

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How it works

1. We go over your needs together

You tell us about your home, energy usage and goals. Then one of our Green Gurus will help you compare solutions and savings.

2. You make an informed decision

No hard sell. No guesswork. Simply ask questions, check the numbers, configure and reconfigure till you're confident it's the right solution for you.

3. Your new kit is installed

One of our team members comes to your home to put everything in place and test it thoroughly. We can even help monitor performance.