Cheaper solar panels could be made available to people in Norwich, after city council leaders announced plans for a pioneering initiative to drive down the costs.

Norwich City Council wants to help people who might be put off from installing solar panels by joining forces with them to secure a better deal.

The council has already encouraged people to switch electricity suppliers via its Big Switch and Save programme, with thousands of people signing up.

And now, the city council wants to become the first city in the UK to take part in a collective solar auction scheme.

That would work by the city council setting up a group of people who are interested in buying solar panels and then negotiating, with the help of a specialist partner, for a better deal on solar panels.

The offer would be presented back to the group for householders to decide whether to accept the deal, but the council says evidence from similar schemes in Europe shows up to a fifth can be knocked off the cost of solar panel systems.

Norwich City Council's controlling cabinet will decide next Wednesday whether to establish a collective solar auction scheme.

Brenda Arthur, leader of Norwich City Council, said: 'The Switch and Save scheme has been really popular, but to be able to offer solar panels to people who might not otherwise be able to afford them or who do not know how to find the best deal, is really exciting.

'We will be one of the first cities in the country to do this and we have already demonstrated that we are an authority which is at the cutting edge.'

Do you think a solar auction is a good idea? Write, giving full contact details, to the Letters Editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE.

Have you got a council-related story? Email dan.grimmer@archant.co.uk