For the third time, Suffolk County Council is working with Solar Together to encourage residents across the county, including Felixstowe, to install solar panels.

Since 2018, Suffolk County Council have installed solar panels in more than 1,000 households across Felixstowe and Suffolk.

It comes as one of Suffolk County Council's planning, waste and environment initiatives with the aim of making Suffolk carbon neutral by 2030.

Solar Together Suffolk is a group buying scheme which offers installation of solar panels and, for those who already have solar panels, battery storage.

After initial registration of interest closes, an auction will be held on September 28 where pre-vetted solar installers will bid for the work. According to Solar Together, this will make the personal recommendation price more competitive.

According to the council, on average, homeowners have saved £263 each year on energy bills after the installation of solar panels in addition to reducing harmful carbon emissions.

Cllr James Mallinder, East Suffolk Council's cabinet member for the Environment said: "East Suffolk Council has a strong environmental vision and this commitment has been underlined by our recognition of the climate emergency in 2019, and Solar Together supports our commitment to our shared ambition to make Suffolk as a whole carbon neutral by 2030.

"By thinking about how we generate our energy and making these small changes now, we can make a big difference over time."

According to the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan: "In order to achieve carbon neutrality, electricity supply needs to become zero carbon, switching generation from fossil fuels to renewable energy technologies such as solar and wind.

"It is ambitious, because the actions we take now will fundamentally affect the lives of young people and coming generations in Suffolk."

One of East Suffolk Council's methods of tackling climate change is also to encourage community efforts. They said: "Enabling communities focuses on the sustainability of community assets and households and empowering individuals to improve their own 'green behaviours'."

Environmental groups mentioned in East Suffolk Council's 'tackling climate change in the community' focus are Felixstowe-based Felixstowe Community Nature Reserve, Litter-Free Felixstowe and Plastic-Free Felixstowe.

Litter-Free Felixstowe, founded by Debbie Bartlett, tackles littering issues across Felixstowe to protect wildlife and the eco-system.

Full story here.

Another goal in the aim of carbon neutrality is low carbon transport and the reduction in demand for car use. Greater Anglia has collaborated with East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership in their 'Days out by Rail' campaign to encourage Felixstowe and Suffolk to travel by train. Full story here.

Registration for the Solar Together Suffolk scheme closes by September 28 - it is free to register and there is no obligation to purchase.

If you wish to contact Solar Together Suffolk for more information, follow the link here.

To view the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan in full, follow the link here.