Sheffield City Council has set out a new solar PV strategy built around pilot schemes that will test the commercial and operational viability of expanding rooftop solar and battery storage across its housing portfolio. The policy is scheduled for committee approval on 4 December.
The framework positions solar-plus-storage as a long-term asset investment, with the pilots designed to generate data on payback periods, lifecycle costs, carbon performance and tenant demand. The results will inform future capital planning and determine which funding and delivery models offer the strongest value for money.
The strategy is structured to unlock external finance. The council intends to pursue government grants, climate-linked bonds, regional funding and partnerships with energy companies and local green investors. While a limited PV budget is available under the current Roof Repair Contract, large-scale deployment will depend on securing external capital.
Pilot outcomes will be used to build a business case for wider rollout, including decisions on procurement, revenue reinvestment and partnership structures. The council aims to establish a scalable model that supports both its decarbonisation commitments and long-term financial resilience.
