Volt Group Scotland, a multi-trade services company, has partnered with HDM Energies, a Yorkshire-based renewable energy company, to offer rooftop solar installations for commercial properties without capital expenditure.
Through HDM Energies’ ‘Energy for All’ programme, Volt Group Scotland will supply, install and maintain solar PV systems for businesses, property portfolio owners and local authorities across Scotland.
The installation comes at no cost to the companies, with the energy produced by the solar systems supplied under a power purchase agreement (PPA); The financing option enabled by HDM Energies means that businesses can purchase the electricity generated by the solar panels at a low, fixed rate, while receiving maintenance support from Volt Group Scotland.
According to Volt Group and HDM, the initiative is intended to help companies transition to sustainable energy solutions “seamlessly and affordably”.
Colin MacLean, Renewable Energy Manager at Volt Group Scotland, commented: “We are delighted to be working with HDM Energies to expand our services and offer more businesses across Scotland, regardless of their size or budget, the opportunity to access access to clean, renewable energy through a power supply. purchase agreement.”
The electrical installation company has been supplying domestic and commercial rooftop solar PV systems across Scotland since 2019.
Dan Rogers, CEO of HDM Energies, added: “There is huge potential for businesses to harness renewable energy, and we are delighted to be bringing the ‘Energy for All’ program to Scotland. The partnership with Volt Group means that businesses here now have access to solar energy solutions with expert installation and year-round maintenance, without the financial burden of upfront costs.”
The Scottish solar outlook
Trade body Solar Energy Scotland recently expressed its dismay at the Scottish Government’s decision to implement a new energy efficiency standard inspired by the international Passivhaus standard.
The consultation on the rules is based on Passivhaus Classic, which Solar Energy Scotland says would be outdated before it ever came into force; Passivhaus Classic has been replaced by ‘Plus’ and ‘Premium’ forms, which call for mandating the installation of renewable energy in domestic and non-domestic buildings, including solar thermal systems for hot water production.
In fact, the consultation makes no mention of solar energy at all. This would leave Scotland far behind its neighbours, with European standards mandating solar panels on all new-build homes, and England about to introduce the same rule.
Scotland is a controversial area when it comes to solar energy, with Scottish net-zero minister Mairi McAllan announcing on April 18 that the Scottish Government would miss its 2030 emissions target.
In June, industry body Scottish Renewables called on the government to reintegrate solar and energy storage into the Home Energy Scotland (HES) grant and loan scheme, arguing that the move to remove the technologies from the scheme would hurt Scotland’s solar sector would undermine.
Helen Melone, head of heat and solar at Scottish Renewables, said: “The Scottish Government’s decision to remove residential rooftop solar from the HES grant and loan scheme is a blow to the future of Scotland’s solar energy sector.
“The HES grant and loan scheme is popular with the Scottish solar supply chain and has helped deliver the extensive pipeline of projects it is currently working on.”
Melone concluded: “Domestic solar is hugely popular in Scotland, and there is a long waiting list for installations. However, without an incentive for residential rooftop solar, this work will inevitably dry up, leaving these businesses with an uncertain future.”
