A housing association’s renewable technologies business has landed a deal to install solar panels and air source heat pumps at new homes being built in Berkshire.

Raven Housing Trust’s Raven Renewables is believed to be the first company set up by a social landlord to not only fit sustainable technology in its own properties but also offer the service to other organisations.

It has now secured a new contract with Sparta Homes Limited, based in Slough, which develops houses and flats for the rental market.

Work will involve installing high-efficiency solar panels, along with air source heat pumps to maximise savings from the solar energy, at two new-build houses in White Waltham, Maidenhead.

The solar panels will be connected to a remote monitoring system, enabling access to real-time data, providing information on how much electricity is being generated. Installation will take place during construction of the homes over the next few months.

It is expected that the homes’ future residents will have minimal energy bills, with annual savings of up to £600, and their hot water is likely to be heated for free for more than six months of the year. The properties’ improved energy efficiency will also reduce their carbon footprint.

Mark Gardiner, Business Development Manager at Raven Renewables, said: “We are pleased to be working with Sparta Homes Limited on this, our first project for them.

“By fitting the solar panels and heat pumps together, we optimise energy savings for the homes’ residents by reducing the amount of electricity they will have to buy from the grid, while cutting the properties’ carbon emissions.

“Installing cutting-edge technology such as this to harness sustainable energy sources will make a huge difference to the people who move into these homes, helping to keep their household bills low at a time when many people are struggling to cope with spiralling energy costs.”

Reg Pangali, Director of Sparta Homes Limited, said: “We are really pleased to be working with Raven Renewables on this project to improve the energy efficiency of these new homes. With current energy prices so high, and set to increase again in April next year, our investment in renewable technologies will mean the new homeowners will have much lower energy bills.”