Planning

Residential Solar Collective Buying Scheme

THE WEST OF ENGLAND COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

30 Apr 2026 at 16:28

Planning

30 Apr 2026 at 16:21

Summary of the contracting process

The West of England Combined Authority is in the planning stage of commissioning a supplier for its "Residential Solar Collective Buying Scheme," focusing on energy and related services within the solar power industry. This contract aims to support the region's Growth Strategy priorities by facilitating the collective purchase of solar panels and other low carbon technologies. Set to be implemented across Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, the scheme is designed to reduce installation costs for owner-occupier properties and enhance energy resilience. Key dates include a planned start of procurement by 3 July 2026, with an initial contract period lasting until 2 July 2027, with the potential to extend until 2028. Interested parties should complete the engagement questionnaire by 14 May 2026.

This tender presents a valuable opportunity for businesses specialised in solar energy and renewable technology installations. Companies with MCS registration, a history of engaging diverse communities, and experience in leveraging private sector investment stand to benefit significantly. The scheme not only offers the prospect of delivering over 500 solar systems by October 2027 but also permits exploration into additional retrofit measures like low carbon heating and EV charging points. Therefore, businesses with expertise in marketing, installation, and maintenance services within energy and related sectors are particularly well-suited to compete in this procurement process. The open procurement method encourages participation from various businesses, especially SMEs, fostering growth and development within the local renewable energy market.

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Notice Title

Residential Solar Collective Buying Scheme

Notice Description

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA) is seeking to commission a supplier for a Residential Solar collective buying scheme across the West of England region. Covering the local authority areas of Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. This project is in support of WECA's Growth Strategy priorities to increase clean and renewable energy and decarbonise homes across the region by 2035. The scheme will drive down installation costs for homeowners in owner-occupier properties through collective purchasing of solar panels, batteries and other low carbon technologies. With the aim of accelerating deployment and increasing energy resilience in the community across the region and providing homeowners with a financially viable, convenient and fast-tracked solution. The supplier will be expected to utilise and develop skills in the local workforce, run a marketing campaign and be responsible for customer journey ensuring that all aspects of the pre and installation phases are completed to a high standard as well as providing good customer service post installation and ensure a timely rectification of any defects following the installations. The supplier will be expected to work with WECA to maximise customer access to the scheme and delivers Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) outputs. The supplier will deliver and install at least 500 domestic solar systems across the West of England by 31 July 30 October 2027. The estimated contract value is based on 1,800 installs over the maximum contract period. We are especially interested in speaking to suppliers who have the following: * MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) registered * Experience in attracting private sector leverage * Experience in delivering to diverse communities In addition to the solar schemes, future intentions include investigating collective purchase on domestic retrofit measures including low carbon heating, insulation and electric vehicle charging points. At this stage, WECA would be looking at the potential of exploring this as part of this contract. If this sounds like an opportunity your organisation may be interested in, please fill out the below Questionnaire: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2P2M8K7

Planning Information

If this sounds like an opportunity your organisation may be interested in, please complete the short questionnaire below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2P2M8K7

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068fc8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040188-2026
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

09331000 - Solar panels

09331200 - Solar photovoltaic modules

09332000 - Solar installation

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
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Apr 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jul 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Jul 2026 - 2 Jul 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE 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
Post Town
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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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