A SCHEME which could change the way the British energy network operates has been launched in Rose Hill.

Energy Resources for Integrated Communities, known as Project ERIC, chose the estate from a shortlist of areas across the UK to pilot its programme.

The Project ERIC scheme sees houses installed with solar panels and other renewable energy sources, which are then linked together in a grid.

Any leftover energy generated is then fed into the grid for other homes to use.

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Solar panels and battery storage units started being installed on the first group of council homes in January after 100 tenants signed up to the scheme last year.

Eventually 100 homes will have batteries and about 60 will have both batteries and solar panels.

Some of the homes will also get state-of-the-art low energy LED lighting.

When the rooftop solar panels are generating more power than the homes consume, the energy is stored in a battery and used later.

If the batteries are full the energy can be used up by other houses connected to the grid.

The £1.2m scheme has been largely funded by the Government along with contributions from energy storage company Moxia Technology, Oxford City Council and social housing company GreenSquare Group.

Project leader Andy Edwards, from Oxford, said: “Rose Hill and the Isle of Wight were the final two areas we whittled it down to.

“Rose Hill was picked because it is quite a typical community so if it works there it should work elsewhere.

“Because the Isle of Wight is an island its electricity grid is not very typical.

“Hopefully we can get this to be a new way the electricity grid will work with the community across the United Kingdom.”

The scheme is open to 100 council tenants in Rose Hill who have already signed up, but it will shortly be open for applications from private householders.

Project ERIC is still establishing what the cost will be for private homes.

Oxford Brookes graduate Mr Edwards said: “People should start saving on their energy bills straight away and then they will hopefully also see additional benefits through storing the solar energy.

“We are also going to be running solar workshops to show residents how solar works and help them to make choices to engage with it.

“In places such as Germany clean energy has really taken off and we would like to work towards that.

“There is less reliance on big power stations if that happens.”

Local sustainability charity Bioregional have recruited Rose Hill residents to take part.

One was Laura Laubeova, who lives in John Parker Close.

She said: “I’m excited to have been selected for this project.

“I hope it will make my bills more friendly looking.

“I also feel that any initiative like this is extremely positive for the future of our children and their children.”

To find out more contact Mr Edwards by emailing andy.edwards@ bioregional.com.