Switch Solar Energy

I gathered that gem during a chat with Max Hobbs, executive chairman of Switch Solar Energy, a company which came into existence and moved into offices at the Magdalen Centre, on the Oxford Science Park, in August 2010 — and has already grown from two to five people with the confident expectation of breaking the £1m turnover mark within 18 months.

The remark came up when we were discussing the startling possibilities of green energy in the future. But it was green energy of the present that we had really met up to discuss.

And such is the state of present interest in solar energy that marketing manager Kevin Jefcoate, who was also at the meeting, said: “Our rapid expansion signals a move to bigger premises later this year.”

But how, I wondered, did the company differ from the many solar panel installers that have cropped up recently in response to the Government’s policy of paying a guaranteed feed-in tariff (FIT) to anyone using their roofs — at home or their place of work — as sites for generating solar energy?

Mr Hobbs said: “We only deal with commercial sites and systems costing more than £100,000.“ He added: “As it happens, £100,000-130,000 buys you a system that meets the maximum 50kw limit for the feed-in tariff.”

The team at Switch are well aware that in their business reputation is everything, since unfortunately stories abound of less than scrupulous merchants selling solar panels to gullible punters.

Mr Hobbs said: “We look at all aspects of a proposed project and have a list of top experts and advisors who provide us with professional services.”

And Mr Jefcoate added: “We would hate to be portrayed as just another solar panel provider.”

Oxford lawyers Withy King recently issued a warning to land and property owners: “Do your homework before rushing into solar energy opportunities.”

Mike Cooper, a commercial property solicitor with Withy King, said; “One of the key aspects for land owners to determine is that the particular developer or project is genuine, and has the knowledge and resources to bring the site forward and gain the requisite planning consents.

“You do not want to risk tying up your site with a company that does not have the skills to bring the scheme to fruition — especially with the FIT deadline looming.”

The deadline there is April 2012, when the Government’s guarranteed tariffs now being paid for electricity generated will expire — and probably be replaced with less generous offers.

Mr Hobbs explained that in many ways beating the deadline is a “come-on” for possible investors since the present tariff will continue for those who have already installed systems.

But on the other hand he agreed entirely with Mr Cooper that large solar energy schemes take time to set up and involve obtaining professional advice from such people as surveyors, planners, lawyers, taxation experts and engineers.

And he agreed that at the outset a reputable developer should in some cases contribute to the costs of such fees in partnership with the land owner.

He said: “I see part of my job as being able to go away and get that finance for someone with a serious project.”

But what sort of people are wending their way to Switch?

Mr Hobbs said: “We are working with 11 equestrian centres that are building structures with large roofs. Generally speaking, though, we are not doing much in the way of new-build operations at the moment because there is so little activity about.

“But of course we are getting ourselves into a good position when the economic recovery comes.

“And sometimes we work with people owning a large number of small units. For example, we are negotiating for a project that would provide 11,000 roofs on social housing.”

He added the company had recently installed panels on a the roof of a farmer’s grain store in Bledlow, Oxfordshire.

He said: “We will look at any commercial proposition. Even some church roofs offer promising sites for panels.”

Switch also differentiates itself from other panel providers by pioneering, for example, solar garages, or parcs, that enable drivers to park their electric cars in buildings that are covered in panels and thereby charge up the cars free of charge.

Mr Hobbs said: “At present 50kw is the maximum for which the feed-in tariff can be paid. But bigger schemes can still use extra power generated for such things as charging up cars or vans.”

And how did Switch Solar come int existence in the first place?

Mr Hobbs said: “I am a chartered engineer with 40 years experience, most recently in the CleanTech sector.

“When Michael Driscoll, now managing director at Switch, moved into the Magdalen Centre —where I already had an office — it made sense for us to join forces”

All in all, it seems that this Oxfordshire business is in the forefront in the race to produce energy, without producing Co2.

Name: Switch Solar Energy Established: 2010 Number of staff: Seven

Contact: 01865 922200 Web: www.switchsolarenergy.com