Solar panels could soon be springing up on domestic roofs across Swindon and Wiltshire.

More than 10,000 people signed up for the Solar Together scheme promoted by Swindon Borough Council to make it cheaper for people to get solar panels put on their roof, or to have a battery storage system installed so they can keep the excess power produced.

The final figure for Solar Together expressions of interest is 10,064 across Swindon and wider Wiltshire.

The plan was that by banding together, a larger group could get a more advantageous price form suppliers than individuals could.

Cllr Keith Williams, Swindon Borough Council's cabinet member for climate change, finance and commercialisation, said: "It's fantastic to see so many residents interested in the Solar Together scheme. This innovative group-buying scheme gives Swindon residents the chance to install high quality solar panels and battery storage at a competitive price, while also being guided through the process by experts.”

It was free for all homeowners in Swindon and Wiltshire to sign up for the scheme run by Swindon and Wiltshire councils and group buying specialists iChoosr Ltd.

It was free to register, without any obligation to continue.

The scheme offers quotes on solar panels with optional battery storage and electric vehicle charge points, as well as retrofit battery storage for residents who have already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate as well as increase their independence from the grid.

One who already has solar panels but who joined the scheme to get a reduced price on battery storage is borough councillor Caryl Sydney-Smith.

She said: “Electricity bills are going up and will continue to do so. Anything like this which helps people to save money in the long-term by generating their own power is really helpful.

“Putting solar panels in will help people cut their bills and batteries mean you can use solar energy in the evenings as well.

“I’d recommend this to anyone if there’s another opportunity. Anything that helps people save money has got to be worth it.”

Putting solar panels on the roof of a house generally does not need planning permission, although it might be needed in conservation areas or on listed buildings.

More advice on what residents can do to play their part in tackling climate change, while also reading about what other initiatives are already taking place across the town, is available at: www.swindon.gov.uk/bethechange