LAST year the Lib Dem led Dorset Council (DC) offered residents an opportunity to join an ill conceived solar panel group buying initiative called Solar Together.
Dorset has a low wage economy and the highest percentage of retirees in the country so the scheme, obviously, would limit any benefit to residents with both available capital and a belief in the objective.
After almost 6 months of inadequate and lack of comment from both DC and the local Lib Dem MP, it was revealed that the scheme had achieved 38 installations representing 0.022% of Dorset residents and clearly not a benefit for the broader community.
The scheme also demonstrates the cavalier attitude of DC to gamble with tax payers money on vanity projects and political ideals.
This attitude is further evidenced by the recent announcement that DC plans to spend millions of pounds installing EV charging points at a time when car manufacturers are cancelling or reducing production due to a lack of demand.
Perhaps the Council leader could provide the reasoning behind his unsupported prediction of an estimated 91000 EVs in Dorset by 2030 and is this why Dorset residents will now suffer an above inflation increase in Council Tax of 5% for 2026/27?
John Sullivan
Lyme Regis
The News asked Dorset Council for a response and received this from leader Cllr Nick Ireland.
“The Solar Together scheme supports residents who wish to install solar panels and battery storage to reduce both household energy bills and carbon emissions. By using a bulk buying model, the scheme helps residents access high quality installations at competitive prices.
“Following similar schemes run successfully by other councils, it was launched in Dorset in summer 2025 and contributes directly to Dorset Council’s climate change objectives. Since launch, more than 1,600 Dorset residents have registered their interest. Of these, 321 households are currently progressing through surveys and installations, with work continuing through to summer 2026. The scheme is designed to be cost neutral to the council.
“An initial start up cost of £24,237 covered market analysis, mail outs and marketing. This is repaid through a small rebate paid by the installer for each completed installation. If around 300 installations are delivered, the rebate will total approximately £24,000, leaving a final net cost of around £237 – less than £1 per installation. All Installation costs are paid directly by participating residents.
“Although the scheme is now closed to new applications, residents can still register interest for future opportunities at switchtogether.co.uk/solar-and-battery/dorset
“Solar Together is one part of the council’s wider support for residents to improve energy efficiency and reduce bills. Further advice is available through Dorset Council’s Home Energy Advice service: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/home-energy-advice”
Electric vehicle charging
“Dorset Council is delivering a programme to install approximately 1,125 on street residential EV chargepoints over the next five years. The programme is fully funded through the Department for Transport’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme (£2.49m) and private sector investment (£8.5m).
“No council tax funding is being used, and all public charging infrastructure delivered to date has been funded through government or private investment.
“While some manufacturers have revised earlier production targets, demand for electric vehicles in the UK continues to increase. In 2025, EVs accounted for almost one in four new car registrations, with early 2026 data showing further growth, particularly following recent increases in petrol and diesel prices due to global oil market disruption. March 2026 recorded the highest monthly EV registrations to date.
“Sales continue to rise, particularly for plug in hybrids, fleet vehicles and used EVs, all of which place increasing demand on public charging infrastructure.
“Dorset Council plans charging provision based on projected demand over the next decade. Infrastructure requires long lead in times for planning and delivery; waiting until demand is overwhelming risks shortages that could discourage adoption.
“It is therefore misleading to suggest that investment is being made against market reality. Despite uneven progress, the overall trend is towards increasing electrification.
“Finally, the figure you cite of 91,000 electric vehicles in Dorset by 2030 appears consistent with earlier DfT. Updated forecasts now indicate between 60,000 and 70,000 EVs by 2030, with significant seasonal peaks in charging demand linked to tourism during holiday periods.
“I hope this provides useful context on how the council is supporting residents without placing additional demands on council finances.”
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