Funded retrofit in Oxfordshire: delivering value beyond installation
£386,000+ in reported customer savings. 1.76 GWh of renewable electricity generated. 100% of subscription payments made on time.
The Oxfordshire Area-Wide Retrofit Programme is demonstrating how funded solar PV and battery storage can deliver lasting energy savings and reliable performance beyond installation.
Delivered by Metis in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, the programme combines accessible funding, resident engagement through the Energy Saver App, and long-term optimisation within one managed service.
Project background
Oxfordshire County Council wanted to accelerate household decarbonisation without requiring residents to pay upfront for solar PV and battery storage. Working with Metis, the council developed a funded retrofit programme designed to make the process simpler, more accessible and easier to understand.
The programme brings together four connected stages:
Resident engagement: The Energy Saver App helps residents understand their energy use and identify suitable low-carbon technologies.
Personalised assessment: Smart-meter data and tailored savings modelling help households understand the likely costs and benefits.
Funded installation: Metis provides solar PV and battery storage through a fixed monthly subscription, with no upfront installation cost.
Long-term support: Ongoing performance monitoring, tariff optimisation and customer support help residents get continued value from their systems.
Rather than ending at installation, the model provides a managed home-energy service that supports households throughout the life of their assets.
“Our partnership with Metis has been a real success story. Together, we’re helping residents across Oxfordshire make their homes more energy efficient and supporting a fair and just transition to net zero.”
– Dale Hoyland Retrofit Team Leader, Oxfordshire County Council
Results to date
The Oxfordshire programme has delivered measurable results across resident engagement, installation, household savings and renewable energy generation.
Resident engagement and uptake
● 9,300+ Energy Saver App downloads
● 1,243 residents progressed through the Metis journey
● 1,008 tailored propositions delivered
● 306 completed trial installations
● 85% of residents offered the solution expressed a desire for it
Energy, savings and affordability
● £386,019.93 in reported total customer savings
● 1.76 GWh of renewable electricity generated over a 365-day reporting period
● Approximately 202 tonnes of CO₂e in estimated avoided grid-electricity emissions
● 100% of subscription payments made on time
Delivering value beyond installation
The latest performance data shows that installed systems are continuing to generate value, with batteries in regular use, strong asset health and ongoing customer engagement.
Battery performance and optimisation
Across the monitored portfolio:
● 1.53 GWh of battery throughput recorded, alongside more than 140,000 equivalent battery cycles.
● 98.7% average battery state of health, with 97.7% of the 300 complete records retaining at least 90% health.
● 96.7% of customers are actively optimising their systems through linked export tariffs.
Continued household savings
Internal analysis also recorded average annual savings after subscription costs of approximately £626 for terraced homes and more than £926 for bungalows.
Customer engagement through the Energy Saver App
The Energy Saver App has helped maintain customer engagement, with research finding that:
● 80% would recommend the app.
● 65% gained a better understanding of their household energy use.
● 62% monthly app usage, representing approximately 186 customers.
● 43% felt less worried about their energy bills.
● 42% reported saving money, with average savings of £108 per year.
Together, these results demonstrate how ongoing optimisation, accessible energy information and long-term asset management can help households continue benefiting from their installations.
Maintaining service continuity when suppliers change
One of the benefits of Metis's managed-service model is the continuity of support it provides when technology suppliers or circumstances change.
Responding to supplier disruption
In April 2026, GivEnergy Ltd, the manufacturer of battery and inverter equipment used in the Oxfordshire programme, entered administration. The original manufacturer warranty was no longer being administered by GivEnergy, creating uncertainty for customers.
However, under the Metis model, the customer relationship extends beyond the original equipment manufacturer.
Long-term support through Metis
Metis remains the contracted installation and service provider, responsible for managing customer support and equipment issues under its ongoing service commitments.
This includes:
● Fault management: Diagnosing equipment problems and coordinating their resolution.
● Repair and replacement: Arranging appropriate solutions where required.
● Ongoing optimisation: Continuing to manage system performance and customer support.
● Technology flexibility: Introducing alternative products or support arrangements if original equipment becomes unavailable.
Metis does not replace the original manufacturer's warranty. Instead, its ongoing service commitment means customers continue to have a dedicated provider responsible for managing their systems as technology and suppliers change.
The manufacturer may change. The Metis service commitment remains.
What residents say
The programme's post-installation survey found that 100% of responding customers would highly recommend Metis.
For residents, the benefits extend beyond energy savings, helping them understand their energy use and share their experiences with others considering low-carbon technologies.
“It has been life changing both in terms of our energy consumption but also being able to demonstrate real figures to our family, friends and neighbours to encourage more uptake, the numbers don’t lie!”
– Oxfordshire Metis customer[1]
About our partners
Oxfordshire County Council supports the county's transition to a low-carbon future through programmes spanning energy, housing, transport and climate action.
Through its partnership with Metis, the council combines trusted local engagement with funded solar PV and battery storage, helping residents access low-carbon technology and long-term support without upfront installation costs.
Talk to us about your next retrofit programme
The Oxfordshire programme demonstrates how funded solar PV and battery storage can deliver measurable savings and long-term value.