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UPN-00417 - Residential Solar Collective Buying Scheme

West of England Combined Authority

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

25 Sep 2026 at 13:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

25 Sep 2026 at 12:52

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

18 Sep 2026 at 14:30

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

18 Sep 2026 at 12:29

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

30 Apr 2026 at 17:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

30 Apr 2026 at 17:21

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The West of England Combined Authority is exploring a residential solar collective buying scheme for the West of England. The contractor would organise discounted supply and installation of solar photovoltaic systems for households, with optional battery storage and electric vehicle chargers. The scheme is also intended to serve small and medium-sized business premises, community venues and places of worship. A digital platform would let residents register interest and enable third-party suppliers to bid for installations. The contractor would manage customer service, assess installers, support regional rollout and provide project data to the Authority. The Authority aims to expand renewable energy and reduce emissions from homes. The work combines solar installation programme management, customer-facing services and supplier coordination.

This procurement is at planning and market-engagement stage, not a call for competition. The Authority is testing market interest to shape its procurement strategy; it may or may not proceed to a competitive tender, and suppliers may be invited to further engagement. An open procedure is currently planned. The Authority expects the contract to start on 15 January 2027, run to 14 January 2028, with a possible extension to 14 January 2029. The stated estimated value is £90,000 excluding VAT (£108,000 including VAT). It is described as a below-threshold concessions contract, with no guaranteed orders. The contractor is expected to deliver and install at least 500 domestic solar systems across the West of England by 31 September 2027. Market-engagement questionnaire responses are due by 30 September 2026.

The scheme is likely to suit solar PV installers and businesses able to coordinate a regional network of accredited installation firms. Suppliers will need the capacity to deliver at least 500 domestic systems, alongside optional battery storage and EV charging, and to manage the customer journey from registration through installation. The planned model also calls for an online platform through which residents can register interest and third-party suppliers can bid for work. Strong customer-service capability, installer vetting, rollout planning and project-data reporting will be relevant. The Authority also wants the contractor to maximise access to the scheme and deliver equality, diversity and inclusion outputs. The lot is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized businesses, so firms of that scale may be well placed, either directly or through a delivery partnership.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UPN-00417 - Residential Solar Collective Buying Scheme

Notice Description

In order to support our Growth Strategy priorities of increasing clean, renewable energy and decarbonising homes across the region by 2035, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is exploring facilitation of a Collective Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Purchasing Scheme for local authorities within our region. The aim of this early market engagement exercise is to determine whether there is a market to help residents, SME buildings, community venues and places of worship purchase "Supply and Fit" PV arrays, battery storage, and electric vehicle (EV) chargers at an affordable price from accredited installers. The contractor will handle customer service, vet installers and provide regional capacity for rollout of solar PV, plus provide relevant project data to WECA. The contractor will deliver a collective purchasing Scheme for the supply and installation of photovoltaic panel (PV) systems for householders to enable them to take advantage of discounted panels via collective purchasing, with options for battery storage and electric vehicle charging. The Contractor will set up an online platform to facilitate the collective purchasing scheme by allowing 3rd party suppliers to bid for work for which householders have registered interest. Supply and installation contracts shall be between the Contractor and the Household/establishment. The Contractor will pay the Authorities a commission for every successful installation completed. The supplier will deliver and install at least 500 domestic solar systems across the West of England by 31 September 2027. The supplier will be expected to work with the Combined Authority to maximise customer access to the scheme and delivers Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) outputs. The planned contract start date is 15th January 2027. This contract is categorised as a below threshold concessions contract as the Authorities are not able to commit or guarantee any orders. This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is not a call for competition. Responses will inform our procurement strategy, which may or may not include a future competitive tender process. Suppliers may be invited to participate in further engagement activities, including demonstrations or clarification sessions. Please complete the questionnaire: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/mvcm7QZkkw?origin=lprLink

Planning Information

If this sounds like an opportunity your organisation may be interested in, please complete the short questionnaire below: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/mvcm7QZkkw?origin=lprLink

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068fc8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/090984-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

09330000 - Solar energy

31155000 - Inverters

31158000 - Chargers

31440000 - Batteries

45232141 - Heating works

45320000 - Insulation work

71314000 - Energy and related services

79342000 - Marketing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£90,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Sep 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
15 Jan 2027 - 14 Jan 2028 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
West of England Combined Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS1 6AL
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Bristol Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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