The nationwide programme is the largest free solar roll-out of its kind in the UK and is being funded by Macquarie Bank.

Up to 1,500 homes a month could be fitted with photovoltaics once the programme hots up.

Styles & Wood Energy will handle all aspects of site-surveying, specification and installation for the nationwide programme, which expects to generate in excess of 30MW of solar power.

Tony Lenehan, CEO of Styles & Wood, said: “This is a significant project for the UK residential solar market and reflects Styles & Wood Energy’s growing reputation in the field of renewables installation.

“The development of the Group’s Renewables division was core to our diversification strategy, and this major project demonstrates that the group now has the capability to deliver large scale installation programmes on a national basis.

“We are confident that Styles & Wood Energy is well placed to deliver sustainable profitable work streams and we remain focussed on the continued growth of the division as the demand for alternative energy sources continues to increase across the UK.”