In our goal to build a community-owned power station on the roofs of Bristol and beyond, we work with some of the best in the business of ethical solar installation. For our latest projects, KnowleDGE Academy and City of Bristol College Parkway, our partners are Bristol-based Ecogen Energy. The company has big ambitions to push a just transition from fossil fuels across the country. We caught up with their CEO Ben Ingham to find out how.
Ecogen Energy was established in the same year as BEC (2011) and has similar high ambitions for unhooking our communities from fossil fuels. In the last 14 years, the company has installed over 120,000 solar panels across nearly 2,000 rooftop and ground mount projects, which are saving approximately 6,250 tonnes of carbon per year.
With this experience under their belts, they have been able to ride what Ben describes as the “solar-coaster”, the ups and downs of government policy and incentives for renewable energy over the last 15 years. Today things are looking brighter: solar technology costs are falling, and large corporations who are facing mounting pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, are turning to solar to reduce their electricity emissions and bills.
“Solar is one of the cheapest forms of energy in the UK and investing in renewable electricity is one of the easiest ways to reduce carbon,” Ben said. “We’re looking forward to growth in the renewables market.”
Reflecting this confidence, Ecogen Energy are growing their local team, contributing to the growing green jobs opportunities in Bristol. They are currently recruiting for an Operations Assistant and two Lead Solar Installers and are always interested in speaking with people who would like to carve a path in the renewables industry.
BEC’s two latest projects
This summer, Ecogen Energy has installed a 161kW system at KnowleDGE Academy (356 solar panels) and a 183kW system at City of Bristol College Parkway (404 solar panels). The panels will provide around 70% of energy used at Parkway, and KnowleDGE will be fully run on solar between 7am-5pm on sunny days.
As part of their and BEC’s commitment to support the next generation of renewable energy experts, the company attended the careers fair at KnowleDGE Academy. The young people were very enthusiastic.
“I was really pleased with the engagement at the event and to have the opportunity to encourage younger people into the renewable industry – there is a massive skills shortage and a lot of potential for the next generation,” Ben said.
With concerns around panels sourced from certain regions of China, Ben explains that they often choose to pay for more traceable panels – even when clients haven’t been able to include them within the project scope. BEC, of course, does include this in our project requirements.
“The industry has been pushing hard for greater transparency around the components of solar panels. Initiatives like the Solar Stewardship Initiative are helping, along with more flexibility in sourcing materials from different regions. But challenges remain, and we need to keep applying pressure on our suppliers to do better.”
Serving the community
As well as working with BEC, Ecogen Energy collaborates with other community energy organisations and is passionate about supporting community energy initiatives, including making investments in these groups on behalf of its own team members. In this way, the Ecogen Energy team are not only installers of the system but also beneficiaries of it.
“It’s a powerful investment model: companies get solar installed at no upfront cost with full maintenance included, local people have the chance to invest directly, and profits are reinvested back into the community. It’s a triple win.”
For more information, head to Ecogen Energy’s website.
