Harnessing the Sun in Bedfordshire

The Challenge

Cornerstone has been working with Central Bedfordshire Council since 2021 on both private and social sector domestic retrofit schemes – insulating hundreds of properties to date.

We assisted CBC in their application to the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), which was confirmed as successful in early 2023.  

The scheme was mobilised later in 2023, with the focus solely on the installation of solar PV to well insulated council properties across Central Bedfordshire with an EPC rating of D or below.  

Our Solution

In total, Cornerstone’s friendly and knowledgeable team installed solar PV systems at 157 properties over the 15 months between January 2024 and March 2025.  

The properties targeted were already well insulated and included general needs and sheltered housing of various archetypes.  

On average, each property had eight panels installed, designed to maximise output in compliance with MCS standards and planning regulations.  With the installation costs covered by the council and SHDF funding, residents benefitted from energy bill savings immediately. 

The Result

All installations were completed in compliance with MCS standards and in advance of the funding deadline of 31st March 2025.  

The solar PV systems made a significant difference to the energy performance rating of the properties – the majority of them reaching a B rating, with 38 even becoming A rated.  

Residents quickly noticed a significant reduction on their electricity bills and were very satisfied with the professionalism of the installation.  One resident in Linslade commented: “The workmen were very good, they explained everything to me and tidied up afterwards.”

Central Bedfordshire Council was delighted with the timely delivery of the project and commissioned Cornerstone to deliver the next phase of funding under the Warm Homes: Social Homes Fund from 2025.