Energy Savers Week

It’s energy savers week! This is an annual campaign about energy efficiency, reducing energy bills, and lowering carbon emissions, we are focusing on the benefits of renewable technologies as well as finance options, we have spoken to two of our members NerG and Ortus Energy to find out more about how they help your energy needs.

At NerG our passion is to help our customers generate heat and power more reliably, more profitably and more sustainably. We specialise in commercial renewables as well as combined heat and power. Our founder, Stuart, envisioned a company that would help reduce the carbon footprint of local businesses and positively impact our environment. With a strong passion and mission, we’ve grown into a team of 25 dedicated engineers and office staff based just outside Lincoln, all sharing Stuart’s vision and commitment to sustainability. In 2024 alone, we’ve installed 2.7MWp of solar PV capacity (that’s over 5,000 panels) and serviced more than over 600 biomass boilers. We support our customers from feasibility and system design through to installation, long-term maintenance and biomass fuel supply. We truly believe our reputation is only as good as the last job, which is the reason we continue to work with 98% of our customers post–installation

What solutions do you have for reducing your energy spend?

There are several ways in which you can reduce your energy spend. The first and most obvious is to use less. Some changes are relatively easy, like changing lighting to LED or moving pumps & motors to variable speed. We often find however that these low hanging fruit have been picked, and the business still has a base load of energy demand. This is where NerG can help. We take a consultative approach to our clients’ energy demands, looking for the best solution to fit their specific needs rather than just the easiest. NerG specialises in Solar PV, Biomass Boilers and Heat Pumps, each of which can help our clients reduce their energy spend. Solar PV is currently the best option for businesses with ample ground or roof space. Payback can be as little as 2.5 years. Reducing energy bills and carbon is relatively straight forward with a solar pv system, we design systems that best match a business’s consumption to maximise energy returns. A battery storage system can also be installed to store excess energy and disperse the energy when solar is not generating as high levels of electricity. With over 250,000 hectares of south-facing commercial roof space in the UK, businesses have a huge opportunity to reduce costs and carbon footprints.

recent work completed by NerG

What is your top tip for getting the most benefit out of your solar panels?

Perhaps one of the most important things to get the most out of solar is getting the design of the array right in the first place. At NerG, we take great care in ensuring we consider site conditions and the correct design at the outset of a project. This includes considering what shading might be present and how we can minimise this if possible. We ensure panels are strung to minimise shading losses or we propose optimisers where shading can’t be avoided. Once a system is installed, ensuring maximum efficiency comes down to looking after your array and keeping it clean. We recommend a clean every other year, depending on the environment the panels are situated. Where possible, energy-intensive operations can also be shifted to peak sunlight hours to take full advantage of your system’s output and minimise reliance on the grid.

Ortus Energy is a leading provider of renewable energy solutions, specializing in commercial solar systems. Our mission is to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint, lower energy costs, and achieve energy independence through innovative and sustainable energy technologies. By offering tailored solar solutions, we empower companies to embrace a greener future while delivering significant financial savings.

Ortus Energy takes a collaborative approach, working closely with clients to understand their unique energy needs. Our end-to-end service includes project development, financing, installation, and ongoing system maintenance, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and industry expertise, we enable businesses to meet their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. As a trusted partner, Ortus Energy is committed to delivering long-term value for our clients and supporting the UK’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

What solutions do you offer for businesses who may be interested in solar panels?

We offer a comprehensive range of solar energy solutions designed to meet the needs of businesses seeking cleaner, more cost-effective energy. Our primary focus is on “Solar Power Purchase Agreements” (PPAs), a unique financing model that allows companies to benefit from solar energy with no upfront capital investment. Through our PPA, we fund the design, installation, and maintenance of a bespoke solar system on a client’s premises. In return, businesses purchase the generated electricity at a reduced, fixed rate, enabling immediate savings on energy bills.

For businesses looking to own their solar system outright, Ortus Energy also provides direct purchase options, including consultation, system design, and expert installation. This approach allows companies to achieve greater control over their energy production and usage.

Our process is simple and transparent. We begin with a site assessment to determine the feasibility of solar power, followed by a detailed proposal outlining projected energy savings, carbon reductions, and ROI, ensuring smooth project delivery and offering ongoing system monitoring and maintenance for long-term performance.

By choosing Ortus Energy, businesses not only reduce operational costs but also enhance their environmental credentials, supporting sustainability goals and ESG commitments.