UPOWA and Winchester City Council shortlisted for Best Retrofit Initiative at the Housing Executive Awards 2026
Award recognition: UPOWA and Winchester City Council’s Phase 1 Solar & Battery Retrofit Programme has been shortlisted for Best Retrofit Initiative.
Resident-focused retrofit: The programme combines solar PV and battery storage to support more energy-efficient homes and help reduce household energy costs.
Collaborative delivery: The shortlisting recognises the partnership between UPOWA and Winchester City Council’s Retrofit Team in delivering practical decarbonisation improvements across existing housing stock.
UPOWA is delighted to announce that its Phase 1 Solar & Battery Retrofit Programme with Winchester City Council has been shortlisted as a finalist for Best Retrofit Initiative at the Housing Executive Awards 2026.
The award recognises effective retrofit initiatives that demonstrate positive outcomes for residents, environmental impact, efficient project delivery, successful integration of new technologies and effective resident engagement throughout the retrofit process.
For UPOWA and Winchester City Council, the shortlisting reflects a collaborative approach to social housing retrofit and housing decarbonisation, combining technical expertise with a clear focus on delivering practical improvements for residents.
Delivering solar PV and battery storage for social housing
Phase 1 of Winchester City Council’s Wave 3 solar PV and battery storage programme successfully delivered renewable energy upgrades across 35 occupied social housing properties throughout the Winchester district. Funded through Winchester City Council’s own capital investment in decarbonisation, the programme forms part of the Council’s wider strategy to improve housing energy performance, reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty.
By combining solar PV with battery storage, the programme enables homes to generate and store renewable electricity, supporting improved energy efficiency while helping residents make better use of renewable energy generated at their properties. The programme demonstrates how renewable energy technologies can be incorporated into existing social housing through a coordinated approach to technical design, delivery and resident engagement.
A partnership approach to retrofit
A key strength of the programme has been the close working relationship between UPOWA and Winchester City Council’s Retrofit Team.
Delivering retrofit in occupied homes requires careful planning, communication and collaboration between local authorities, delivery partners, technical specialists and residents. Throughout Phase 1, UPOWA worked closely with Winchester City Council to coordinate delivery and ensure the programme remained focused on the needs of residents and the Council’s wider decarbonisation objectives.
“We’re incredibly proud to see the Phase 1 Solar & Battery Retrofit Programme recognised at the Housing Executive Awards.
The shortlisting is a testament to the collaborative approach taken by the UPOWA and Winchester City Council teams, and to the shared ambition to deliver practical, resident-focused solutions that support the decarbonisation of existing homes.”
Supporting social housing decarbonisation
The recognition comes as councils and housing associations across the UK look for practical ways to improve the energy performance of existing homes and accelerate housing decarbonisation. Solar PV and battery storage can play an important role within wider retrofit strategies, helping social landlords integrate renewable energy generation into existing properties while supporting longer-term energy efficiency and carbon reduction objectives.
UPOWA brings extensive experience in the design and delivery of solar PV and battery storage systems, supported by the operational capability required to deliver renewable energy programmes at scale. The Winchester programme forms part of UPOWA’s focus on supporting local authorities, housing associations and social housing partners with practical renewable energy solutions for existing housing stock.
Looking ahead
The successful completion of Phase 1 demonstrates the potential for well-planned solar PV and battery storage retrofit programmes to provide a scalable approach for local authorities looking to decarbonise existing housing stock.
The Housing Executive Awards 2026 bring together organisations from across the UK social housing sector to recognise innovative projects and the people delivering positive change across housing. UPOWA and Winchester City Council are shortlisted alongside a strong field of organisations in the Best Retrofit Initiative category, with the winner to be announced at the awards ceremony at Bolton Wanderers FC Stadium on 6 October 2026.
We would like to thank the Winchester City Council Retrofit Team for their continued collaboration, commitment and support throughout Phase 1, and everyone involved in delivering the programme. We look forward to celebrating with colleagues from across the housing sector in October.
Share on:
Interested in solar PV and battery storage for your social housing stock?
UPOWA works with councils, housing associations and housing sector partners to design and deliver solar PV and battery storage programmes for existing housing stock. Talk to our expert team to discuss your retrofit programme requirements.