One of the country’s fastest growing renewable energy companies, Absolute Solar and Wind, is expanding its footprint across Scotland. The company, which is headquartered in Glasgow, has grown significantly over the past 12 months and is about to open new premises in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness. The firm has expanded on the back of increased demand from individuals and companies looking to take advantage of the benefits renewable energy systems offer.
Founded in 2007, the company was one of the first in Scotland to receive an MCS Accreditation.
solar pv expansion in 2012
Despite recent uncertainty in the solar industry due to the change in feed in tariff fees, Absolute has still managed to grow the business significantly in 2011.
Sales and Marketing Director, Terry Doherty said: “We expect this growth to continue throughout 2012 and are delighted to be in a position to open new offices in Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh.”
Absolute is in the process of employing 30 new staff members to work from the offices. As well as office staff, highly-trained Absolute system installers will be on hand at each new operating base to fit renewable energy solutions such as solar PV panels, micro-wind turbines and solar thermal systems.
Terry added: “We’re very excited to be opening in the east, north and northeast. We were getting more and more enquiries from the Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness areas, and as we have a network of trained installers throughout the country we were able to service these enquiries.
“However, it was getting to the stage where it made sense to open full-time staffed offices in these cities.”
The company also recently moved its England-based operation, which covers the South and Midlands, to a larger head office in Ipswich.
Last year the company completed the largest installation of solar panels in Scotland. Based at the Malcolm Allan warehouse in Kintore, the solar panel system features 792 state-of-the-art solar panels and has been praised by Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing.
Mr Ewing said: “This installation is a great sign that the solar sector has a strong future in Scotland, in spite of recent uncertainties over the Feed in tariff. The proposals for a framework for future tariff changes should provide a sustained basis for growth and build confidence in the solar PV sector.
“The expansion of businesses such as Absolute Solar & Wind shows that solar PV works in Scotland and will continue to contribute to our world-leading renewables target.”
The panel area amounts to 1011 m2 and will generate 114039Kwh of green electricity a year – the amount needed to fuel 32 typical homes.
Terry said: “The Kintore project was a great one to work on as it was on such a massive scale. As the largest solar panel system ever installed in Scotland it will not only benefit Malcolm Allan but will also give back to the environment.”
“Above all we pride ourselves in excellent workmanship due to the high standards of our staff training, which I firmly believe is the reason we have continued to grow.
“Despite recent uncertainty in the industry we remain committed to pressing forward in the solar PV market. I believe the PV marketplace will remain a buoyant one for many years to come as energy costs continue to rise. Investing in renewable energy solutions is not only a practical decision, but one which will benefit companies and homeowners for years to come.”
For more information on Absolute Solar and Wind please visit the company website.
