Here at Shawton Energy, we’re proud to be leading the charge in commercial solar solutions.
Collectively, our team has over 100 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, having worked on a range of large-scale solar installations for industries such as education, warehousing, manufacturing, hospitality, retail, and farming.
Each of our solar specialists is passionate about the environment and about helping our clients to decarbonise their operations – reducing their carbon footprint, saving on energy costs, and futureproofing their business.
In our latest blog series, we speak to the people behind the panels, getting to know more about their industry experience, and their hopes for the sector.
Next up, we have Graham Provest our Senior Sales Manager.
- Describe your role and what a typical working day looks like for you:
As Senior Sales Manager, I spend my time speaking with clients about their needs, business sustainability objectives, views on net-zero carbon, environmental goals, cost-saving requirements and much more.
I then take the ideas from these discussions and craft them into tailored proposals, showing how Shawton Energy can help them to achieve their goals and save money, energy and carbon.
A typical day involves discussing opportunities with new and potential clients, what they’re looking for and what their needs are. As part of this, I spend a lot of time travelling all over the country to either assess their sites or present proposals. I’ll also work through various technical, financial and contractual discussions with clients, to help them maximise their energy potential.
Shawton Energy offers various technical and funding options, and it’s part of my job to assess these, along with the unique needs of the client, to ensure they’re getting the right solar energy solution for their business.
- How long have you worked in the solar energy field and what drew you to it?
I first started working in the industry in 2008, just as solar PV entered the UK market. At the time, I was working for Sky – running a fleet of vans with salespeople and engineers. It became clear that with the right training, Sky engineers could install solar PV, so moving into solar was a natural progression.
I also loved the technical solutions side to working in solar and selling a brand-new technology, that no one had ever heard of, to businesses and social – and private – housing developments, helping them to reduce their carbon footprint.
Many people thought that the idea that energy could be made by harnessing the power of the sun seemed far too good to be true, so being able to educate them about this renewable energy solution, and the value it could provide, was really rewarding.
- What do you enjoy most about your job?
Customers. It sounds corny but I love travelling up and down the country meeting lots of different businesses and clients – talking with them about what they want to do and what they need.
I also get to witness how many companies work behind the scenes. Some of the businesses I talk to are using incredible cutting-edge technology, making and manufacturing some interesting products in a range of innovative ways.
On a less technical level, I also really enjoy being able to see and explore new places and meet lots of great people.
- Sum up the culture at Shawton Energy in three words:
Technical, commercial and teamwork.
- What has been one of your favourite projects to date and why?
I worked on a large ground-mount solar PV solution for a market-leading client in the food and drink sector. This project was technically very complex and had a lot of stakeholders involved. Everyone needed to work together to get the project over the line, which added a challenging, but rewarding, layer to the project. We collaborated to deliver huge commercial savings for the client, which was very satisfying.
The project was a funded solution, so it required a strong commercial proposition for all parties. I spent a lot of time developing it, managing the early goals of the project and gaining all the signatures and agreements required. After that, I was lucky enough to be able to watch the system being built and commissioned, delivering the goals we had set.
- What piece of advice would you give to businesses looking to explore commercial solar solutions?
Do it now, don’t delay.
We need businesses to work collaboratively alongside the solar industry, so we can maximise the energy potential of their roofs and land areas.
And while a key motivation for businesses is to save money on their energy bills, solar energy will also help them to save carbon and reduce their carbon footprint.
Taking the leap into renewable energy is a big decision, but if businesses partner with a supportive energy partner, they can help to prevent any internal or external bottlenecks – ensuring maximum carbon and financial savings can be achieved as quickly as possible.
- What is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK’s solar industry and how can this be overcome?
Electrical connectivity to the UK grid via both the National Grid and the various Distribution Network Operators is the biggest challenge currently.
The UK grid needs significant investment to upgrade the network so that it can cope with all these renewable generation systems. The process for connecting to the grid also needs to be made much quicker, a three-month minimum turnaround is just too slow in the modern marketplace.
- Investing in commercial solar panels is a big decision – why do you think clients choose Shawton Energy?
It’s a huge decision, but make sure you work closely with a strong, technical business that prioritises turning your needs and objectives into realistic projects that deliver exactly what you need.
Shawton Energy provides this service for clients – looking after the whole process, from initial consultation and design, through to gaining all the necessary agreements and installing the system safely – all with minimum disruption to your business. We’ll then look after it through a Monitoring, Operational and Management process throughout the entire life of the system.
As we always say, you do what you do and let us look after your energy-saving and carbon-saving needs.
- Tell us a fun fact about yourself that other people may not know:
Since I was a teenager, I’ve been involved in competing, organising and officiating car rally and off-road racing events. I spend my time in various competition cars going as fast as I possibly can through the worst conditions and forests all over the UK. You could say I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie!
- Finally, what are your hopes for the sector over the next five years?
I want solar PV to be the norm as we go forward. No building – whether commercial or domestic – should be built without solar PV on it.
I also hope for a strong plan to cover the roofs of factories, warehouses and commercial buildings that are currently sitting without any solar PV. They could be generating good, clean, cheap renewable energy for businesses, housing and the grid.
Investment in upgrading the grid infrastructure should also be well underway, with a simplified process of connecting to the grid to boot.
If you’d like to find out more about how solar energy can help your business to decarbonise and save money, get in touch with our team via email hello@shawtonenergy.co.uk or phone 01925 794 874.
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