Care England Solar Framework
Join the Care Solar Framework today and unlock cost-effective, low-carbon energy solutions tailored for care providers.
Let Care England guide you to smarter savings.
Considering Solar Energy?
Care England recognises that most care providers are not specialists in solar installations and have seen numerous examples of poorly designed systems and misleading proposals that are unable to deliver the promised performance.
Similar to energy brokers, solar installation companies are not regulated or accountable to a governing body. As a result, providers have been misinformed and have faced installation charges that are significantly higher than necessary, or have received systems that are not fit for purpose.
To address these challenges and protect care providers from the risks associated with the unregulated solar installation market, Care England will offer care providers a complimentary, independent solar assessment and installation support service, ensuring that any system installed delivers the performance promised.
How the Service Works
1. Expression of Interest
Care providers register an interest for a solar proposal. This is a complimentary service for care providers only.
2. Data Collection
Care providers will be asked for their supply details to enable the energy specialist to obtain the correct consumption data (48 half-hourly readings per day where available). This data is essential for assessing whether solar is a viable and cost-effective solution. No accurate proposals can be provided by any organisation without this information, a common mistake by many abused by rogue solar installers.
3. Installer Proposals
Care England will appoint an energy specialist and share the consumption data, address, and essential site information with a panel of vetted solar installers. No participating installers will contact the provider directly or visit the site without prior permission from the Care England energy specialist.
Installers will have 14 days to prepare their initial proposals using publicly available resources (e.g., aerial and street-view imagery). Installers will be informed that this is a competitive process and given access to a level of information sufficient to produce an indicative proposal and identify any clarification questions relating to the site.
The energy specialist will manage all communication, coordinate responses to clarification questions, and ensure that all installers receive the same information. This ensures a fair and consistent basis on which the provider can evaluate the proposals.
4. Independent Review
The independent energy specialist will review all proposals and identify the three most suitable options. They will also provide straightforward explanations written in clear, simple language so that non-energy professionals can make an informed long-term decision with confidence.
This support is complimentary and without charge for care providers. Neither Care England nor the energy specialist will receive any commission or payment from the solar installer.
5. Next Steps
If the care provider wishes to proceed, they select an installers proposal, and the energy specialist will arrange a site visit with the chosen installer to confirm details and make any adjustments to the design or costs which cannot be completed on the desktop proposal previously submitted. Any changes can be re-presented to the Care England energy specialist if necessary for challenge, validation or verification, again with no charge.
This is a totally complimentary non-commissioned solar service for care providers only.
The Benefits
This service, is provided by Care England’s energy specialist, gives providers:
- Independent, expert advice.
- Accurate estimates of honest cost savings and payback periods from which a realistic business case or funding application can be made.
- Protection from exaggerated claims and unsuitable or restrictive contracts.
- Significant time savings by avoiding meetings with multiple installers and wading through misleading or complex proposals.
With the support of the Care England energy specialist, care providers can make an informed decision about whether solar energy is right for their business confidently and with clarity and without the fear of being mis-sold installations.