Nearly 4.5 million UK flats have been locked out of the solar revolution. Roof space is limited, ownership is split, and planning permissions are a maze. But a new product called SolShare 2, launched this month by the Australian company Allume Energy, promises to change that.
As reported by Installer Online, the second-generation system can distribute solar energy from a single rooftop array and battery across up to 12 individual flats. Each flat gets its own inverter and smart meter, so residents see their own generation and savings, no arguments over who used what.
Why flats need a different approach
Standard solar installations work for houses because one roof, one bill, one owner. Flats break that model. A block of six flats might have one south-facing roof, but six different electricity accounts and six different landlords. Individual panels are rarely feasible, the roof area per flat is too small, and shared ownership creates legal knots.
The result: flats have an average EPC rating of D, compared to C for houses. The government wants all rented properties at EPC C by 2030. Without solar, many blocks face expensive fabric upgrades, new windows, insulation, heat pumps, to get there. SolShare 2 offers a cheaper shortcut. A shared 10 kW array covering six flats might cost £12,000-£15,000 installed, compared to £18,000-£24,000 for six separate 1.5 kW systems. That saving matters when a freeholder or management company is footing the bill.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
SolShare 2 works best for purpose-built blocks with a single roof, a shared electrical intake, and a cooperative freeholder. Leaseholders in converted Victorian houses, where each flat has its own fuse box and the roof is shared with the upstairs neighbour, may find installation harder. The system needs a common distribution board, which many older conversions lack.
But where it fits, the numbers stack up. A typical flat using 2,500 kWh a year might save £300-£400 annually on bills, assuming 50% self-consumption of the shared solar. Add a 5 kWh battery (roughly £3,000-£4,500) and that rises to 70% self-consumption, cutting bills by £500-£600 a year. The battery also provides backup during power cuts, a growing concern as grid constraints bite.
The catch is upfront cost. A block of six flats might need to raise £18,000-£25,000 for the full system. Grants help: the ECO4 scheme covers some shared installations for low-income households, and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund targets social landlords. Private leaseholders will likely need a loan or a management company fund.
What it means for EPC ratings and resale value
Solar panels add up to 10 points to an EPC score, according to the Energy Saving Trust. For a flat on the D/C boundary (score 55-68), that could push it into band C, unlocking higher rents and making the property easier to sell. Agents report that EPC C homes sell for 3-5% more than D-rated equivalents in the same postcode.
But there is a catch: the EPC methodology treats shared solar differently. Only the flat that hosts the inverter gets the full generation credit; others get a share based on their agreed allocation. Freeholders must register the system with the government’s Microgeneration Certification Scheme and provide a sharing agreement. Without that paperwork, the EPC assessor can only count the host flat’s portion, which undermines the whole point.
Allume says SolShare 2 comes with a built-in metering and reporting platform that generates the data needed for EPC compliance. That is the kind of detail that separates a working product from a gimmick.
What UK homeowners should do now
If you live in a flat and want solar, the first step is to talk to your freeholder or management company. SolShare 2 installers are listed on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme website. Get a quote from at least two certified installers, and ask them to model the EPC impact.
For freeholders: the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and the Home Upgrade Grant both cover shared solar for eligible buildings. Applications for the current round close on 31 March 2025. Act now or wait another year.
SolShare 2 is not a magic wand, it needs a willing freeholder, a suitable roof, and a cooperative block. But for the millions of UK flat-dwellers who have watched their house-owning neighbours cut bills and carbon, it is the closest thing to a solution yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It works best in purpose-built blocks with a single roof, a shared electrical intake, and a cooperative freeholder. Converted Victorian houses with separate fuse boxes per flat are harder to retrofit. Always get a certified installer to assess your building.
Yes, if the system is properly registered with MCS and a sharing agreement is in place. A 10-panel shared array can add up to 10 EPC points, enough to move a flat from band D to C. Without the right paperwork, the EPC assessor may only credit the host flat.
