Social housing tenants living in flats could lower bills by generating their own energy and be paid for helping to balance Britain’s electricity grid, under a new scheme explored by housing associations and local authorities at an industry event this week.
FlatSave, a UK-first collaboration between E.ON Next and Allume, turns a block of flats into a shared energy asset, helping residents cut bills and earn money from the energy their building generates and stores. A single rooftop solar array and communal battery can serve every flat in the building, reducing bills for tenants.
The battery charges when electricity is cheapest and supports the grid when demand peaks, with residents receiving a guaranteed annual payment in return. By using energy when it is cheaper and making stored power available when the grid needs it most, FlatSave can deliver value both to individual households and the wider energy system.
Presented at E.ON Next House in London, the event comes as typical household energy bills are forecast to pass £2,000 a year, and amidst growing debate ahead of the Budget over government funding for social housing energy upgrades.
More than five million households in England and Wales live in flats, including almost half of the country’s social housing stock. Allume estimates that fewer than 1% of these households currently benefit from rooftop solar. FlatSave addresses this barrier directly, giving residents in flats the same opportunity to generate cheaper, cleaner energy as those living in houses.
FlatSave combines Allume’s SolShare technology, which equitably distributes solar and battery power to every flat through its existing meter, with E.ON Next’s expertise in grid flexibility. No equipment is needed inside homes and all residents can see the benefit regardless of their chosen supplier.
The first FlatSave system was installed with Peabody Homes at Harper Court in Stevenage, with more FlatSave projects planned across the country this year.
Commenting on the install, Lorraine, a resident at Harper Court, said, “Having extra money in my bank has been brilliant. Seeing my bills drop has brought real peace of mind. With the panels and FlatSave, I no longer have to constantly watch my energy use or switch devices on and off, which has made my life so much easier.”
Reflecting on the install at the event, Rashida Kutubu, Senior Retrofit Manager at Peabody, said, “Before SolShare and FlatSave, we didn’t know how to bring solar to our blocks of flats. Allume’s SolShare distributes energy across every flat based on what each household needs. With the addition of grid flexibility through FlatSave, we’re not just reducing bills, we’re putting money back in residents pockets too.”
Ramin Hakimov, Allume’s Head of Commercial and Policy Engagement, said, “The housing providers we work closely with want practical ways to bring cleaner, cheaper power to their homes without disrupting their residents. Generating solar power, storing that energy in batteries and trading with the grid is one of the most practical and impactful ways we can drive down bills for good.”
Speaking at the event in London, Ramona Vlasiu, Chief Operating Officer at E.ON Next, said, “People living in flats have missed out on the benefits of the energy transition for too long. FlatSave is changing that, combining Allume’s technology with E.ON Next’s scale and flexible energy solutions to help residents lower their bills without needing to switch supplier. That’s what making new energy work for everyone looks like.
“For residents like Lorraine, this isn’t about technology for technology’s sake, it means no longer having to choose between heating and cooking. We are looking to take solutions like this to scale, and my message to housing associations and councils is simple: come and talk to us.”
For more information on FlatSave, housing providers can contact: flatsave@eonenergy.com
