RPS Group
RPS Group Shines With £8.2M Solar Contract with Vico Homes
RPS Group Shines With £8.2M Solar Deal with Vico Homes Renewables Contractor to Lead Large-Scale Solar Retrofit in West Yorkshire
The company also estimates that homes will save 500-900 kg of CO₂ per year, helping to meet decarbonisation goals under Vico Homes’ Sustainability Plan 2025 to 2030.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said: “We know energy bills are just too high which is why we’re working with social housing tenants to cut their energy bills.
- Partnership will see 2,000 West Yorks social homes benefit from rooftop solar installations
- Systems expected to meet 30–50% of household electricity demands, reducing electricity costs for residents
- RPS Group’s new Pontefract office will deliver new contract
- RPS Group, one of the UK’s leading renewables contractors, is to install rooftop solar panels in over 2,000 homes across West Yorkshire in a deal with social housing provider Vico Homes worth £8.2m.
The programme follows the successful delivery of a previous contract, under which RPS Group installed more than 900 solar panels for Vico Homes (formerly WDH).
An estimated 18,000 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels could meet up to 50% of each household’s electricity needs, helping customers, many from fuel-poor, lower-income households, save money on their fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions.
RPS Group’s contract with Vico Homes is among the most significant large-scale PV solar retrofit programmes in the region’s social housing sector.
It will be partially funded through the Government’s Warm Homes: Social Homes Fund, an initiative designed to improve the energy performance of social housing throughout England. The scheme is being delivered by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Vico Homes.
As part of the project, RPS Group has opened a dedicated office in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, reinforcing its long-term commitment to growth in the region and supporting local employment during the programmes, which will run through to Spring 2028.
Graham Rothwell, Owner and Founder of RPS Group, said: “Securing such a major PV solar installation with Vico Homes marks a further milestone in West Yorkshire’s drive to decarbonise its social housing stock and help families reduce their fuel bills.
“Because we understand the complexities of housing, providers trust us to deliver efficient, high-quality installations that bring immediate benefits to residents. That’s why RPS Group has increased its investment in recent years to support the delivery of more large-scale housing retrofit projects across the North of England.”
As part of the project, RPS Group will use its market intelligence to work closely with Vico Homes' asset management team to identify homes that would benefit most from PV solar electricity.
RPS Group’s analysis indicates that an average 2.6-kilowatt PV system could meet up to 30–50 per cent of household electricity demand, helping customers cut energy bills and improve EPC ratings.
The company also estimates that homes will save 500-900 kg of CO₂ per year, helping to meet decarbonisation goals under Vico Homes’ Sustainability Plan 2025 to 2030.
The programme aligns with the wider objectives of the UK Government’s Warm Homes Plan, including the introduction of a minimum EPC C requirement for housing associations and local authorities, alongside efforts to reduce energy bills.
Simon Gutteridge, Head of Homes and Sustainability at Vico Homes, added: “We know many households are facing pressure from energy costs, which is why this solar rollout matters. Installing rooftop PV can help our customers generate clean electricity, lowering bills and improving the energy efficiency of our homes.
“RPS Group’s collaborative approach has made it a trusted partner, providing valuable technical and logistical guidance throughout the process. This is a smart, scalable investment that supports our communities today and our decarbonisation pathway for the future.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said: “We know energy bills are just too high which is why we’re working with social housing tenants to cut their energy bills.
“By helping tens of thousands of families install solar panels at no upfront cost to them, we’re proving that tough action on the climate crisis is also tough action on the cost of living crisis.
“With the backing of government we’re tackling emissions, bringing down bills, and building a greener, more affordable West Yorkshire fit for future generations.”
