RPS to lead large-scale solar panel retrofit across the North West of England  

We’re proud to announce that we have been selected to deliver a £1.2 million photovoltaic (PV) solar panel programme for Greater Manchester-based housing association, ForHousing.

New solar panels will be installed on 252 of ForHousings homes in Salford and Oldham in Greater Manchester, and more widely, in Liverpool, Cheshire West and Chester. Priority will be given to the least energy-efficient properties, to ensure the biggest impact on reducing resident energy bills and carbon emissions. Work is set to begin imminently with an estimated completion date of March 2026.

The announcement marks the beginning of our second phase of photovoltaic solar panel installations for ForHousing, following the successful delivery of a £1.5 million project in September 2024, which saw 320 panels installed on homes across the region.

The programme represents a significant step forward in ForHousings efforts to decarbonise its housing stock, in line with its 2025 Green Strategy. This includes reducing energy demand across both homes and operations, while accelerating the transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources.

ForHousing has also committed to achieving an EPC Band C rating across all its properties by 2030 and reaching net-zero carbon emissions across its homes and operations by 2050.

We have been selected for our expertise in advanced renewable technologies and proven logistical strength and is one of the few specialist contractors in the North of England with a strong track record of retrofitting a wide range of housing at scale, from high-rise urban tower blocks to remote rural properties.

"We’re always looking for ways to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient homes that meet current and future housing needs — and enhancing renewable energy sources is a key part of that."Solar panels help reduce household emissions and make a real difference to energy bills, helping tenants save money at a time when the cost of living remains high, so we’re pleased to be working with RPS Group on this next phase.""As outlined in our Green Strategy, cutting emissions from homes and transitioning to renewable energy is a priority for ForHousing. Projects like this one help to futureproof our homes while delivering real, immediate benefits to our tenants."

Nigel Sedman, ForHousing

"After successfully completing the first phase of work with ForHousing, we’re pleased to be leading this next round of solar panel installations."RPS Group has invested heavily in the skills, technology, and infrastructure in recent years to ensure we can meet the demand for large scale housing retrofit projects across the North of England."Our team brings specialist knowledge, particularly when it comes to working with older homes and legacy heating systems. That gives housing providers confidence that installations will be carried out efficiently and to a high standard, allowing residents to see the benefits as quickly as possible."

Graham Rothwell, RPS Group

ForHousing is a social housing provider that manages over 24,000 homes in the North West of England.