Annual revenues at renewable energy specialist Solarsense have powered ahead by 40% as it enjoyed its busiest-ever year.
The PV system design and installation firm, which was launched 30 years ago – well ahead of the renewable energy curve – said it had benefited from an eagerness among organisations to tackle the climate crisis.
This has led to a 400% increase in inquiries from sectors such as manufacturing, warehousing, airports and data centres over recent years.
The lower cost of solar panels and soaring electricity prices also contributed to last year’s record £14m revenues – up from £10m in 2022.
Around 85% of Solarsense’s business is linked to the commercial roof market with clients such as household products firm Brabantia, supermarket giant Tesco and socially conscious toiletries retailer Lush.
But it has increasingly secured work from organisations like the Crown Estate, the Duchy of Cornwall, environmental charities such as WWT and RSPB and Glastonbury Festival.
During 2023 the Clevedon-based firm handled more than 15,500 solar installations, including at Bristol’s 18th-century Old Vic theatre – the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world – where 72 solar panels were installed on its backstage roof spaces, pictured.
It also installed a 348-panel array on the roof of iconic live music venue Bristol Beacon as part of its £132m refurbishment, which will provide it with over 110,000 kWh of electricity a year.
Solarsense founder and managing director Stephen Barrett said last year had been “phenomenal” for the solar industry, with nearly 200,000 installations in the UK.
“At Solarsense demand has reflected that growth and some. We have seen a huge increase in inquiries and companies are coming back to us wanting to expand on existing systems – on rooftops and via increasingly popular carports.
“Our team has expanded in kind – more than doubling over the past two years.”
He said this reflected a growing ambition to act on climate change among organisations, along with an awareness of the role of renewables in ESG (environment, social, governance) policies.
A big fall in the cost of panels as electricity bills have rocketed also means solar is offering the best returns ever seen.
“What’s more, with better battery technology coming down the road they are becoming a more cost effective and efficient option for companies who want to store and sell solar power in a smart way,” Stephen added.
Asset finance is also becoming increasingly popular with new options from specialist providers making installing solar PV cost neutral from day one.
Solarsense has staged a series of special breakfast webinars to promote an understanding of solar, with industry leaders explaining issues such as finance, planning and design, options for expansion and more.
The next webinar - Solar: Start to Finish – takes place on 5 March at 9.30am.
Click here to reserve a free place.
