RPS Group Shines With £8.2M Solar Contract with Vico Homes

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.”

For more information, visit RothwellGroup.co.uk 

Established 35 years ago in Wigan, Greater Manchester, RPS Group is an award-winning installer specialising in renewables and heating installations, working with local authorities, housing associations and private developers across the North of England.