Solar panels plan for thousands of council homes in Sheffield

Solar panels plan for thousands of council homes Image source, Niall Carson/Press Association Image caption, Solar panels and better insulation could be installed on thousands of council-owned homes in Sheffield By Olivia Hiskett Yorkshire Published 20 October 2026 6 Comments Plans to improve the energy efficiency of almost 10,000 council-owned homes in Sheffield and lower fuel bills by 2030 are to be considered. A combination of better insulation and solar panels would be installed in as many as 9,850 homes, if the proposals, which are expected to cost £29.6m, are approved by Sheffield City Council. The programme, which the authority said could see tenants' bills lowered by £250 a year, would also help cut emissions and improve health across the city, according to the council. Douglas Johnson, chair of the housing policy committee, said: "We want to deliver lasting improvements that make a real difference to tenants' household finances, health and quality of life." "Energy bills continue to be a significant concern for many households, and these proposals could put around £250 a year back into the pockets of each household benefiting from the programme," he added. "We want to make thousands of council homes warmer, healthier and more comfortable." Image source, Jacob King/Press Association Image caption, Council tenant's could collectively save between £2.4m and £3.5m on their fuel bills every year if the plans are approved As many as 5,250 homes could receive solar panels and batteries using third-party investment, with 4,000 homes set to see fabric improvements such as better insulation, a council spokesperson said. If successfully delivered, the programme was estimated to save tenants collectively between £2.4m and £3.5m on their fuel bills every year, they said. Those figures were "strategic estimates" based on national evidence and current assumptions about Sheffield's housing stock, according to the council. The plan would help the authority meet the government requirement that all social housing meets Energy Performance Certificate Band C by April 2030, the spokesperson said. Energy regulator Ofgem increased the price cap by 4% this month , raising energy prices for millions of households across the UK. The plans are due to be considered by Sheffield City Council's housing policy committee at a meeting on Thursday. Get in touch Your Voice Contact form Contact form Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds , catch up with the latest episode of Look North Related topics Energy efficiency in British housing Sheffield City Council Sheffield Solar power Home insulation More on this story Public buildings get solar panels in £350k project Published 15 September Council launches its first net-zero housing scheme Published 6 August 2025 Related internet links Sheffield City Council Ofgem