The Solar Together initiative puts high-quality solar panels, battery
storage and Electric Vehicle (EV) charge points within the reach of more residents. This year, community groups and small business are also able to join the scheme. The initiative uses pre-approved installers, helping people feel more confident about their renewable energy investments.

Suppliers can offer competitive pricing due to the volume of
installations, passing savings onto residents through lower installation prices. For those who have already invested in solar panels, there is also the opportunity to fit a battery onto their existing system.

Residents and businesses who register online will receive a personal
no-obligation recommendation, and if they choose to accept it, a
technical survey will be conducted. A date can then be arranged for the installation of their solar PV system.

Cllr Deborah Urquhart, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “The Solar Together scheme offers a straightforward way for people to access a competitive offer from a trusted and vetted provider. The scheme continues to prove very popular with our residents, helping them to reduce their energy costs and their impact on the environment by using the clean electricity they generate.

“This initiative aligns closely with Our Council Plan priorities which
includes achieving a sustainable and prosperous economy and the
underpinning theme of tackling climate change.”

You can learn more about the Solar Together West Sussex initiative here:
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/campaigns/solar-together/

The extended hours are to help cope with the extra demand over the next few months.

Deborah Urquhart, County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change said: “By extending our opening hours during the warmer weather even more residents will be able to visit their local recycling centre.

“Our Book to Recycle system significantly reduces waiting times, it
takes less than a minute to book your slot and same-day bookings are available. Recycling all you can reduces waste, saves energy, helps tackle climate change, and is an important part of our environmental commitments in Our Council Plan. I would encourage everyone to recycle as much of their waste as possible.”

 From 1 April Recycling Centres will be open for longer on the following days and times:

– Billingshurst: 9am to 6pm – Monday to Wednesday and Saturday to Sunday
– Bognor Regis: 9am to 6pm – Monday to Wednesday and Saturday to Sunday
– Burgess Hill: 9am to 6pm – Monday to Sunday
– Chichester: 9am to 6pm – Monday to Sunday
– Crawley: 9am to 6pm – Monday to Sunday
– East Grinstead: 9am to 6pm – Monday, Thursday to Sunday
– Horsham: 9am to 6pm – Monday, Thursday to Sunday
– Littlehampton: 9am to 6pm – Monday, Thursday to Sunday
– Midhurst: 9am to 6pm – Monday, Thursday to Sunday
– Shoreham-by-Sea: 9am to 6pm – Wednesday to Sunday
– Worthing: 9am to 6pm – Monday to Sunday

These hours will remain in place until 31 September and will not be affected by the bank holidays. You will need to book a slot to attend the following Recycling Centres:

– Bognor Regis
– Crawley
– Horsham
– Littlehampton
– Shoreham-by-Sea
– Worthing

Same-day appointments are available through the County Council’s Book to Recycle system, with some appointments available 14 days in advance if needed. There are a limited number of appointments per day and they are
booked on a ‘first come, first served’  basis.

You can book a slot at westsussex.gov.uk/booktorecycle

Passengers flying from Gatwick Airport reported long queues over the weekend due to a technical issue with the airport’s self-check-in machines.

One woman described the scene as “absolute chaos” after queuing for around 90 minutes.

 In a statement issued on Sunday morning, the airport said it had been working with the supplier to rectify the technical issue and significant progress had been made to resolve it.

Crawley Borough Council has successfully bid for nearly seven million pounds from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, to improve the energy efficiency of council homes.

The money will help pay for over 400 homes in Crawley to have varying forms of insulation, including loft and cavity wall. As well as replacing windows where needed.

The work will be completed over the next two years as part of the council’s plan towards achieving its net zero targets.