Solar Power at Scale:
Putting Residents at the Centre of Decarbonisation
The transition to Net Zero represents one of the biggest opportunities facing the social housing sector today.
At Housing 2026, our panel on Unlocking Rooftop Solar for Social Housing explored how providers can accelerate solar adoption while ensuring residents receive meaningful financial and social benefits.
While technology remains important, the discussion repeatedly returned to one central theme: successful decarbonisation starts with people.
Beyond Carbon Reduction
Solar panels are often viewed through the lens of sustainability targets and carbon savings.
However, panellists argued that the real measure of success should be the impact on residents. When delivered effectively, rooftop solar has the potential to:
- Reduce energy bills
- Improve affordability
- Strengthen energy resilience
- Support fuel poverty reduction
- Deliver long-term social value
The conversation highlighted that residents are far more likely to engage with initiatives when they understand the practical benefits for their household.
The Importance of Engagement
One of the strongest messages from the session was that there is no route to Net Zero without resident engagement.
Many residents remain unfamiliar with solar technology and may not fully understand how it can benefit them.
This creates an important role for housing providers and delivery partners to communicate clearly, explain the benefits and provide practical support throughout the customer journey.
Successful programmes focus on outcomes that matter most to residents rather than technical specifications.
Building Strong Partnerships
The panel also explored the importance of collaboration.
Delivering solar at scale requires housing providers, energy suppliers, contractors and network operators to work together to overcome infrastructure and delivery challenges.
Long-term partnerships were highlighted as a key factor in creating sustainable programmes capable of delivering value over many years.
Education Matters
The discussion emphasised that education should not stop with residents.
Frontline teams, customer service colleagues and operational staff all play a vital role in helping residents understand their energy usage, tariffs and available support.
Improving knowledge across all stakeholders can help maximise the long-term benefits of installed systems.
Looking Ahead
As the sector continues its journey towards Net Zero, rooftop solar represents an opportunity to achieve more than carbon reduction alone.
When combined with strong partnerships, resident engagement and effective communication, solar can help improve affordability, enhance resident wellbeing and create lasting social value.
At Sureserve, we believe the most successful decarbonisation programmes will be those that put residents at the centre of every decision.