Solar energy firm creating ‘dozens’ of jobs after move to new base

A solar energy firm that has supplied panels to some of the South West’s biggest organisations has expanded into larger premises.

North Somerset-based Solarsense, which specialises in the design, supply, installation and maintenance of solar panels and other renewable tech, is set to double its operations and its workforce with a move to a larger office in Clevedon.

The company, which counts Glastonbury Festival, Bristol Zoo Gardens and shoe retailer Clarks among its clients, reported growth of 120% to £6m for 2021-2022.

It said it expected to increase its turnover by more than fourfold to £25m within the next five years, and create “dozens” of jobs for the region, having recruited eight new staff over the past year.

Solarsense has been based in the village of Backwell, around seven miles east of Clevedon, since it was founded in 1995. For the past five years it has operated from a purpose-built zero carbon office, which will now be repurposed to provide three low-energy homes, featuring photovoltaic roofs and heat pumps.

The business said it would look to introduce renewable energy to the new premises with the aim to operate with zero-carbon emissions, as it previously achieved in its former facilities.

Managing director and joint founder Stephen Barrett said: “Moving into our new premises marks a big step forward in the expansion of the business. Our vision has always been about changing the way that the UK is powered for the benefit of the environment, and by growing our team we will be able to help more companies switch over to solar energy and reduce carbon emissions.”

Solarsense estimates it has completed more than 14,000 installations of solar panels across the UK, providing 80,000MWh of clean energy per year while offsetting 22,470 tonnes of carbon emissions.

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