Solar group buying and DFS changes — 22 September 2026

This UK home energy news digest for 22 September 2026 covers a local buying scheme, an upcoming electricity flexibility change, data-access proposals and retrofit visits. Research closed on 21 September, including two still-relevant announcements from 14 September.

West Yorkshire group buying closes on 2 October

West Yorkshire has opened a second group-buying round for solar panels, batteries and EV charging. It covers Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield, with the round running from 15 September to 2 October 2026. The Combined Authority's announcement sets out the local offer.

For homeowners in those areas, this is another route to investigate an installation. No scheme price or representative saving has been verified for this digest. Check enrolment, what the quotation includes and which installers take part before committing. Our home solar calculator can help you explore modelled estimates; these are neither scheme quotations nor guaranteed returns.

Demand Flexibility Service changes from 7 October

From 7 October 2026, the Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) will be able to procure constraint-management actions: changes in electricity use to help manage limits on the network. NESO's DFS update confirms the scheduled change. DFS already rewards participants for shifting when they use electricity.

Households take part through registered providers. NESO's household participation guidance requires a working smart meter and a location in England, Scotland or Wales. Owning an EV, heat pump or battery does not automatically qualify you. Ask a provider whether enrolment is open, what changes it would request and how rewards are calculated. Device and participation terms vary; the October change is not a promise of payment to every home.

Ofgem consults on smart-meter data access

Ofgem opened its Smart Data Repository consultation on 14 September, with responses due by 19 October 2026. The proposal concerns electricity settlement data, used to account for electricity use in the market, and access by third parties with consumers' consent.

The consultation addresses how other organisations could access electricity data with consumers' consent. It does not offer a new tariff or guaranteed bill reduction. Read the proposed framework and response details if you want to contribute to the consultation.

Devon opens homes for practical retrofit visits

Devon's free Open Eco Homes programme lets residents see insulation, solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and ventilation in real homes. Devon County Council's announcement also lists a free event at Newton Abbot Library on 23 September, 7–9pm, with booking required.

Later open-home weekends run on 26–27 September, 3–4 October and 10–11 October 2026. Check the Devon programme and booking details for each visit; booking requirements, available places and participating homes can vary. If you are planning work locally, use a visit to ask residents about disruption, comfort and running their equipment. Their experience can inform your questions, but it cannot establish the result for your home.