The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero recently launched a call for evidence exploring the role of community batteries in the UK's future energy mix. At Allume Energy, we welcome the step to bring localised, shared energy storage to more people as an ideal approach to build a more energy and cost-resilient grid.
When paired with rooftop solar, integrated battery systems can fundamentally alter how communities consume power. However, to turbocharge energy savings and lower bills, these innovations must be accessible to everyone; especially the millions of people living in multi-family blocks and social housing who have historically been left behind from the clean energy transition.
For single-family homeowners, adding solar panels or a home battery is an easy way to take control of energy costs. But for flat residents and social housing tenants, conventional, flat-by-flat technology is often technically impossible due to limited roof space and the cost of duplicating infrastructure.
Allume's SolShare technology has completely changed the game. It allows a single rooftop solar array to be shared across multiple flats within the same building. Already in place across more than 10,000 homes, SolShare has proven it can cut grid energy costs for flat residents by up to 40 per cent.
But when you introduce a community or shared battery to that system, the savings are elevated to an entirely new level. As Jack Taylor, General Manager Europe at Allume Energy, notes:
"When paired with rooftop solar, integrated battery systems like these can really turbocharge savings and help people take control of their energy bills... Adding a shared battery to the mix pushes savings further still."
We don’t have to speculate about the potential of pairing shared solar with community storage, as we are already seeing proven success in action.
In 2022, Allume supported Wales & West Housing to carry out a pioneering retrofit at Odet Court in Cardiff, a project funded through the Welsh Government’s Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP). Because of the building's physical footprint, standard individual solar systems were entirely impractical for the 24-flat block.
Instead, the project used SolShare to connect two rooftop solar PV systems and two community-scale batteries directly to all 24 flats. Residents began sharing locally generated solar power and stored energy directly, without the need to switch their energy suppliers or install complicated equipment inside their own homes.
The real-world data from Odet Court shows what community-scale infrastructure can achieve:
As Ramin Hakimov, Head of Commercial and Policy at Allume Energy, comments:
"Projects like Odet Court show the impact shared solar and battery storage can have for communities across the UK and particularly for social housing... Shared solar and community batteries are an ideal pairing to ensure the clean energy transition reaches the people who need it most."
As the government evaluates the business case for expanding community energy storage, scaling these systems safely is a key priority. For residential-scale retrofits to protect consumers, installations must align with fire safety guidelines, specifically the Publicly Available Specification (PAS).
This specification helps manage hazards associated with stationary batteries through a few critical safety pillars:
The government's call for evidence is a historic opportunity to reshape the country's approach to local energy. If we are to successfully target fuel poverty, we must look beyond single-family households. By combining rooftop solar and community storage, we can build a future that benefits everyone.
Are you a landlord or social housing provider looking to future-proof your properties with shared solar and storage? Connect with the Allume UK team today to find out how we can support your next project.