On the day the energy price cap was hiked to £3,549 for a dual fuel home - and of course in this miserable context the word 'cap' doesn't mean that's the most you could pay for a year's energy - this may not seem a good time to think about lashing out on solar panels.

However, if you're lucky enough to be able to afford tapping into the power of our star, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has launched Solar Together, a group-buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage.

As energy prices soar and the cost-of-living crisis deepens, the scheme is designed to help people install solar panels more easily - which should also help lower their future bills.

The scheme will enable home-owners in Wirral, as well as other areas of the city region, to buy solar panels and battery storage that not only help them to cut energy costs, but also help reduce their carbon emissions.

There is also an option to have electric vehicle charging points fitted for those with electric cars.

Solar Together Liverpool City Region aims to reassure homeowners that they are paying the right price for a high-quality installation by providing those who use the scheme with access to a list of pre-approved installers.

The scheme is also open to small and medium-sized enterprises and places of worship.

The project builds on four years of highly successful Solar Together programmes run across the UK. To date, Solar Together has delivered over 7,000 installations – apparently that's the same as 130,000 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided over its lifetime.

It is free to register and there is no obligation to go ahead with an installation. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is working with independent experts iChoosr, to make the transition to clean energy as cost effective and hassle-free as possible.

For more information and to register, visit the Solar Together website by clicking or tapping here.