“Ambitious but cautious” project to trial solar panels on council homes in Sheffield
A pilot scheme is set to be launched in five different areas
Last updated 9th Dec 2025
Pilot schemes in five Sheffield areas will test out the installation of solar panels on city council homes.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels capture energy from sunlight which can be converted directly into electricity. Tenants could enjoy a 24% reduction of their energy bills, reducing fuel poverty.
Excess energy generated for the grid would bring revenue to the council, said a report to Sheffield City Council’s housing policy committee last week (December 4). The project also supports the council’s ambition of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030.
A report to the committee said: “While we aim to deliver benefits to tenants who will have solar PV installed on their properties, the model must also ensure sufficient revenue for the council to cover repairs, maintenance and administrative costs.
“Additionally, surplus income could potentially support households unable to have solar PV installations due to building constraints. Decisions on how to allocate this income will be made following the evaluation of the pilot projects by HPC the committee.
“The impact of each pilot will be analysed based on carbon and energy savings, household bills and tenant experiences.
“It will also help us understand how much it costs to maintain, repair and monitor Solar PV and whether this is possible given the financial landscape at the time of evaluation (late 2028).”
The council has 38,000 homes and the report to the committee said that an assessment will take place next January and February to look at which homes would be suitable to have panels fitted to them.
The pilot schemes will involve installing solar PV panels and air source heat pumps in homes, as well as solar PV panels on some shared roofs of housing blocks.
The pilot schemes will be delivered between 2026 and 2028, then they will be evaluated. The aim then would be to roll out a solar panels scheme over 2028 to 2030.
This is described in the report as an “ambitious but cautious approach”.
The council also last week welcomed the funding by energy company Great British Energy for solar panels in six city schools. These are Arbourthorne Community Primary School, Prince Edward Primary School, Walkley Primary School, Oasis Don Valley, Oasis Watermead and Oasis Fir Vale.