E. ON Next and Allume launch shared solar system for UK social housing

E. ON Next and Allume Energy have launched FlatSave, a first-of-its-kind shared solar, battery, and grid-flexibility system designed specifically for flats and social housing in the UK. The technology addresses a gap in the energy market where residents in multi-occupancy buildings have historically been unable to access the benefits of rooftop solar and battery storage due to the difficulty of splitting power across multiple meters.

Using Allume’s SolShare technology, the system allocates solar generation and battery capacity across several homes from a single array. The communal battery can charge from the grid during off-peak periods and discharge during peak demand to support the local network. This setup can reduce typical household electricity costs by 30% to 60%. Additionally, residents can earn flexibility payments for supporting the grid, with E. ON Next customers potentially receiving up to £160 annually.

The first installation was completed at Harper Court in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, in partnership with Peabody Housing. This pilot serves six homes using a 15kW solar array and an 18kWh battery.