Tag: solar

9 posts

Are you looking for a reliable and professional roofing contractor? Do you want to save on electricity and invest for the future by installing solar panels? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to check out SunWorks, Jersey’s leading company in solar panel installation and roofing services.

SunWorks are proud to announce that they have expanded their services to include pitched roofing, predominantly slates and tiles. With a trained in-house roof team and successful re-roof projects under their belt, SunWorks is set on delivering high levels of workmanship, project management and customer service into the roofing sector. Whether you need a new roof, a re-roof, or a roof repair, SunWorks can handle it all.

But that’s not all. SunWorks also offers solar PV panel installation services in combination with roofing under a single point of contact. This means that you can get the best of both worlds: a high-quality roof that protects your home from the elements and a renewable energy source that reduces your electricity bills. Combing a new roof with solar can add the following benefits;

  • saves on roofing materials for solar panel area
  • significantly reduces roof labour with solar being quicker to install than slates
  • generates own electricity to generate savings & futureproof
  • assists with meeting criteria for building bye-laws (part 11)
  • streamlines installation process with one company

As a sustainable business SunWorks are also dedicated to providing;

  • responsibility sourced materials
  • high levels of care in waste management
  • health and safety at the front and centre of our day-to-day work
  • Tradesmen with high levels of communication and customer focus

At the time of writing SunWorks have an installation space from beginning of November 2023 and are taking bookings for 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to upgrade your home with SunWorks, the one-stop solution for roofing and solar panels.

Contact SunWorks today and get ready to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful and efficient roof.

FerrySpeed, a leading freight service between the UK mainland and the Channel Islands, has taken a big step towards sustainability by installing a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system on its newly built sorting facility at La Collette in Jersey. The system, which consists of 698 x Trina Solar Panels totalling 280kWp is the largest privately owned renewable energy installation in the Channel Islands, narrowly passing the 2019 installation on Guernsey Post headquarters. The system is a unique hybrid, for which 60kWp is a traditional connection to the buildings electrical system to generate savings through the direct offset on the purchase of electricity. The remaining 220kWp of solar is the first of its kind in Jersey where 100% of solar electricity generation is sold to Jersey Electricity, the Island’s energy partner. Jersey Electricity has facilitated a dedicated electrical service to the export of solar power.

Nick Green, the Group Executive Director of Ferryspeed, said that the company was keen to deploy renewable technology and to demonstrate commitment of green solutions to its large client base. “We are not just focused on the numbers, we are also focused on the bigger picture and for us, this is a BIG win!” he said. “We have to show evidence of the supply chain and eco margins. This is a huge, long-term investment for Ferryspeed and we do the walking, not just the talking. We are so happy with the solar installation and strongly recommend SunWorks to any businesses considering going green”.

The Solar installation was designed, installed and commissioned by SunWorks, a local pioneer solar company that specialises in commercial and residential projects.

Mark Brandon, Managing Director of SunWorks, said “I’m proud of the installation and the hard work of our team in the face of unprecedented challenges with sourcing materials and then adverse weather throughout the installation.” Mark also commented on the unique nature of the solar installation “Ferryspeed have made a bold first move and this marks an important first step by opening the conversation for further private commercial energy generators across the Channel Islands. There have been lessons learned by all stakeholders and it’s going to be great to see how solar technology can play an increasing role over the coming years.”

The solar power from the smaller 60kWp array connected to the building’s electrical infrastructure will contribute to charging of the electric vehicles, as well as the wider operations of the building. Solar power of this nature will yield long term savings on the purchase of electricity which in turn will also benefit the environment.

Jersey Electricity’s Director of Commercial Services Peter Cadiou added, ‘We are pleased to partner with Ferryspeed, supported by SunWorks, on this project. JE is committed to building the Island’s energy sovereignty and ensuring that all Islanders can benefit from locally-generated renewable energy, and this partnership helps to achieve both of these objectives.’

When asked about what Ferryspeed’s intentions with the solar, Nick added that “We are early adopters and innovators, to make full use of the solar we have now considered installing smart adapters for the EV chargers, as well as installing solar on the Ferryspeed UK properties. We have paved the way and hope for many other local businesses to follow suit and join us in saving thousands and saving the planet”, he said.

SunWorks are excited to announce the Bursary Scheme for 2023 is now open for applications! Last year was even more successful than we hoped with Tom Bullock, he completed his work experience with SunWorks which lasted for 3 weeks. Tom was a student Studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Nottingham. Throughout the experience Tom worked alongside the different teams which gave him a great opportunity to touch all aspects of a sustainable solar business; from surveying properties, to designing PV systems and then assisting the wider team to install solar panels on roofs from start to finish.
Last year SunWorks installed Solar on over 100 properties, and to date converted over 370 properties on Island to ‘greener energy’. SunWorks expanded the workforce with an additional 13 employees last year, a total of 23 at present. Everyone comes from various backgrounds who bring key expertise to the business which make it a great place of work.
A person employed with SunWorks said “Since starting with SunWorks nearly half way through last year, I can honestly say I’ve never worked at a better place (and I have worked at many different places around the world). They have provided training and supported me in my role and they have now enrolled me on courses which further develop my career.” 
We are looking for young people who are environmentally aware and are interested in completing a degree in either energy, construction, engineering, project management, electrical work or computer aided design. 
Are you studying or do you know a student who is looking for a career in renewable energy? Get in touch with Jerseys leading Solar experts for a chance to work with a great team for 3 weeks this Summer and a £1,500 bonus! There could also be an opportunity for paid work experience after completion of the 3 weeks.
SunWorks are taking applications now and will start interviewing April this year. Please send your CV and tell us why you would like the opportunity to work with us to info@sunworks.je.Closing end of March 2023. 

SunWorks are unbelievably proud to announce that last week, the company’s Co-Founder and Managing Director, Mark Brandon, won the ‘Sustainability – Director of the Year’ at the Institute of Directors Awards!

Mark said “I couldn’t have done this without my dad and business partner, Ian Brandon who helped start-up and run the business since 2013. A special thanks also to the SunWorks Team for all their hard work and belief in ‘enabling Jersey’s renewable energy future”.

Mark’s journey has seen him get the first solar installations in the island off the ground and brought in the expertise required to make himself an expert in a field that was deeply underserved. Over the years, Mark kept a close eye on quality, customer relations and environmental best practices.  He built business relationships for SunWorks with Jersey Electricity (JE), Andium, JT and CI Co-Opertative to name a few. SunWorks’ installations span consists of a mix of 420 residential and commercial buildings island wide from small off-grid systems for a surf school hut to 1,550 x solar panel systems for JE on some of Jersey’ largest buildings.

SunWorks’ values of Positive Culture, Environment, Safety First and being the Employer and Provider of Choice demonstrate a commitment to sustainability that goes far beyond their core business activities such as;

  • owing responsibility to communicate and educate local renewable energy generation to the Jersey public
  • visits to local schools, authoring numerous articles in the local print media, TV and radio interviews
  • being a part of Chamber of Commerce Environment sub-committee – engaging with government lead initiatives on policy improvements and making locally generated electricity a priority for the next decade
  • training of all staff in-house and in 2022 in a specialised technology sector. In 2022 SunWorks funded a senior staff member through Cambridge University’s ‘Business Sustainability Management Certificate’ and another is enrolled for the ‘Jersey Non-Domestic Energy Assessor Course’ of which there is only six qualified people on Island
  • full electric fleet with two cars and seven vans which are part powered by the solar on the roof of the premises
  • responsible waste management and recycling as part of the installation teams training (in the office appropriate plastic, cardboard and paper)
  • enrollment in the Durrell Re-Wilding carbon offset scheme
  • sustainable employment by offering a robust employment package on a reduced 36 hour week with flexiblity for increased employee retention and work life balance

The vision Mark has articulated for SunWorks is that the Company will have installed electricity generating solar on over 1,000 local roofs by 2025. Bit by bit, driving the global climate agenda, SunWorks believe all of the above and the passion of the team are the key ingredients to providing a stable footing which enables the Company to deliver solar installations of the highest standards for many more years to come.

SunWorks is a solar photovoltaic (PV) Design, installation and maintenance company based in Jersey. They are pleased to announce that Tom Bullock, a student Studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Nottingham joined the team for three weeks in July 2022. Tom experienced all aspects of the business from surveying properties, to designing PV systems and then assisting the wider team to install solar panels on roofs. 

Tom impressed everyone at SunWorks, thus the team enjoyed having him onboard. Inquisitive, practical, and easy-going are all great attributes to be a part of the SunWorks team. Being a team player encourages students to work hard, have honest communication, and enables highly professional jobs to be finished in a timely manner with all safety measures adhered to. One key strength Tom had was being inquisitive and asking plenty of questions, although he was never far from already knowing the answers.  

SunWorks continually work on Solar in all different aspects; off-grid, residential and commercial, no day is ever the same! Therefore, SunWorks bursary scheme is a great starter for students who are considering a career in renewable energy and the only of its kind on the island at present. On top of the work experience, the bursary student is eligible to receive £1,500 upon completion along with business references and an excellent addition to a CV. SunWorks will be running the Bursary again in 2023 and welcome applicants to start applying from January 2023.  

Jersey Cheshire Homes (JCH) installed solar through SunWorks in October 2021. The project soon become a prominent success story for the Government of Jersey’s financial stimulus packages following the pandemic. As we head into Summer, the solar production has rapidly increased, showing a constant growth in energy produced.

JCH offers a wide range of services such as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, nursing, rehabilitation, respite, residential and day care and activities. A huge property that requires a massive amount of energy to provide a service to the disabled adults in Jersey.

In the second quarter of the year, July was JCH biggest solar month yet, achieving 43% of the facility’s total energy requirement, nearly halving their imported energy. The installation (which consists of 166 x Trina 395W solar panels) has produced a staggering 29% of the JCH total energy year to date and will likely be above 40% by the end of the year.

Jersey Cheshire Home is an essential charity that already does so much for the public, and we love to see local organisations going the extra mile and thinking green for Jersey #ThinkingGloballyandActingLocally.

SunWorks are pleased to announce the appointment of their latest Non-Executive Director, Thomas Noel.

Tom commented, “It’s a great privilege to join SunWorks as a NED and I wanted to thank the management team for the trust they have placed in me. I very much look forward to supporting SunWorks through this growth phase and am very happy to be supporting a company with such an important role to play in delivering the island’s own Carbon Neutral Roadmap.”

SunWorks is a Jersey based alternative energy provider who design, install and maintain Solar Photovoltaic (PV), they also specialise in battery storage and EV charging equipment. SunWorks have a clear vision to grow Jersey’s on-island electricity generation and have installed the largest sites in the Channel Islands for large companies like, Jersey Electricity, JT, Andium and the CI Cooperative Society.

SunWorks Managing Director, Mark Brandon said,Tom’s appointment comes at a time of continued expansion and his experience will be a great asset as we continue with SunWorks’ mission of ‘enabling Jersey’s renewable energy future’. Tom has key insights into sustainability policies and corporate ESGs that enable us to be always leading from the front with sustainability issues, for us it is more than just installing solar panels, but a way of doing business” 

SunWorks partnered up with Acorn Enterprises last year, helping them towards their mission to become a sustainable social enterprise. Acorn are already pioneers with their reuse and upcycling facilities, not to mention investing in the community by providing work and training opportunities for people who have a disability or long-term health condition.

SunWorks have assisted Acorn reduce their environmental footprint by installing Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels on their café building in December 2021. For the first six months of 2022, 48% of the facility’s total energy consumed came from solar, and it’s worth noting that the solar was powered up in the winter.

We predict that Acorn are on course to generate more than 55% of their total electricity consumption by the end of the year, which is incredible for a business with such a heavy demand for power. This includes the café, charity store, plant nursery, Woodshack and outbuildings.

Of the solar electricity generated, 28% is exported back to Jersey Electricity for redistribution to nearby properties. This means that they have saved approximately 9,200 kilograms of CO2 emissions since December.

Acorn’s General Manager, Steve Pearce said, “We are delighted with the results from our solar panels and we are considering installing more. We are particularly grateful to the Roy Overland Charitable Trust for funding, and recognising the potential of these solar panels, which help us towards being carbon neutral.”

We love seeing local businesses #ThinkingGloballyandActingLocally

We’ve been busy here at SunWorks with a huge opportunity to support Andium Homes, Jerseys largest provider of affordable housing, responsible for housing over 10,000 Islanders.

We will be rolling out Solar PV systems to several apartment blocks under Andium’s management. These systems will help offset the communal areas energy usage and in addition, feed renewable energy to EV charging stations on sites that have them installed. Any unused energy is sold back to Jersey Electricity.

The latest part of this project we’ve completed is at Andium Court which consists of 24 Trina Vertex 400w Solar Panels, 9.6kW which generates 9,700 per annum – small changes make big differences!