A foster grandfather from Halifax has seen his monthly energy costs fall by more than a third after his home was fitted with solar panels and battery storage through a pioneering social housing scheme.
Stephen Jagger, who cares for his three grandchildren in an end-terrace property in West Yorkshire, previously paid over £150 each month for combined gas and electricity.
Mr Jagger previously paid £160 a month for gas and electricity, but since joining the Tenant Power tariff — run by Octopus Energy and Together Housing Group — his bills have dropped to £99.
“Having the solar panels and a battery is a big change and a great way to save a lot of money on your household bills. My energy bills have dropped from £160 every month, to just £99. That’s huge,” he told GB News.
The household’s high electricity consumption, driven by four residents and multiple devices, made the scheme particularly beneficial.
Mr Jagger explained that maximising savings requires adjusting daily routines around the sun’s charging cycle.
By waiting until the afternoon when the battery reaches full capacity, he can power energy-intensive appliances entirely from stored solar energy.
“I’ve had to switch the order of doing things to after the sun has charged the battery. So usually afternoon time,” he said.
“If the battery is charged fully and then I do all my tasks, it’s like running the chores on free electricity.”
This approach allows him to operate the washing machine, cooker and tumble dryer without drawing from the grid, while the children’s games consoles and televisions also run on renewable power.
Stephen Jagger cut his energy bills by over £60 a month
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OCTOPUSENERGY
Despite initial doubts about green technology, Mr Jagger said his experience had completely changed his perspective. He took “a leap of faith” after receiving a letter about the scheme and now encourages others to consider similar options.
He added: “The Octopus team has been great!”
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The Tenant Power scheme operates by equipping properties with solar panels and compatible battery systems, enabling households to generate their own renewable energy.
When production exceeds demand, surplus electricity is stored rather than wasted, then automatically exported to the national grid during peak periods.
Nigel Banks, Zero Bills Director at Octopus Energy, told GB News: “Octopus Energy smart controls the tech to store solar energy in the battery when it’s abundant – like on a sunny day – and export excess solar energy to the grid at peak times when the grid needs it.”
Octopus Energy smart controls the tech to store solar energy in the battery when it’s abundant
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PAMr Bank explained that tenants receive a fixed discount on standard electricity unit rates throughout the year, meaning they benefit even during winter when consumption typically rises. Housing associations fund and install the equipment, receiving payment for energy sold back to the grid.
Tenant Power represents the UK’s first tariff specifically designed to benefit both social housing residents and their landlords from smart green technology investments.
The partnership between Octopus Energy and Together Housing Group will extend the scheme to 1,500 properties across the North of England, with potential annual savings of up to £200 per household compared to standard variable rates.
With over £3million of new investment, Octopus is supporting Together Housing Group to install solar panels and reduce household emissions
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PATracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We’re joining forces to slash energy bills for hundreds of households in the region. With over £3million of new investment, we’re supporting Together Housing Group to install solar panels and reduce household emissions.
“By making homes warmer to live in and cheaper to run, we’ll put more money in people’s pockets and create a fairer, greener region.”
The arrangement addresses a longstanding obstacle to green investment in social housing by providing landlords with financial returns while delivering genuine cost reductions for tenants.