Fresh from their New Business of the Year award win at the 2024 SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards, founders and directors of Gloucester-based Solr Energy, Jake Bevan, Jack Nicoll and Sean Hamilton, catch up with SoGlos to talk all things solar power, entrepreneurship and what's next for this eco-friendly dream team.
How did it feel to recieve recognition at the SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards 2024? Can you describe what it means to you and the team at Solr Energy to be the SGGBA New Business of the Year 2024?
Winning at the SGGBAs was a huge honour and a real moment of validation for everyone here at Solr.
It's an acknowledgment of all the hard work and passion that we've collectively put into making solar energy accessible within the Gloucestershire area.
Why did you decide it was the right time to enter the awards? What were your goals in participating — did you expect to win?
We wanted to use this opportunity to celebrate the hard work we've put in so far, as mentioned, but also to gain insight within the local business community and to connect with like-minded businesses in the local area.
The competition was of a very high calibre, so winning was beyond our expectations — we were over the moon!
What inspired you to establish Solr Energy? Could you share a bit about the core principles that led you to focus on being transparent and simplifying solar technology for your customers?
We identified solar PV as being a large area of growth and the current businesses in the market had a very 'old fashioned' approach to selling and marketing their services.
The high pressure sales tactics, preying on the idea of solar being new-fangled, these are the kinds of things that can lead customers to being less informed about what they're buying.
So there was a gap in the market for a modern, open approach to solar PV installation — with pricing available on our website and a 'no salesmen' approach.
This is really where the idea for Solr came from, allowing customers to be fully informed; get a price quote quickly and easily; and avoid the old pushy sales tactics employed by some other firms.
We follow this up by providing a fantastic installation service, using the best equipment we can source.
Could you talk about some of the challenges and milestones you've encountered on your journey so far?
Getting into the industry, it was key to gain the trust that more established companies had over us, this was an initial challenge.
However, one of our strengths have been the building of long-lasting relationships with our clients who have all supported us onwards post the installation.
The 50kW installation at Gillmans Domestic Appliances in Gloucester, who are a long-serving Gloucestershire business recognised for its exceptional customer service, was for sure a milestone. The team trusting us with their installation gave us the encouragement that we were heading in the right direction.
Are there any key moments that stand out as being crucial in getting the business to where it is today?
Jack and Will Nicoll, chairman of Solr, both have a combined experience in the home improvement business of over 75 years; and their other business, Tradeframe, is one of the largest window and door businesses in the area.
The systems and processes they have designed and created allow us to be very efficient and keep our customers informed throughout the ordering process.
Solar technology can often seem complicated and, ultimately, seen as an out of reach expense to people new to it. How does Solr Energy work to make it more accessible and easier to understand?
We offer transparent pricing, clear explanations and ongoing support to make solar both affordable and straightforward.
One of the things that is super important to us is on-site consultations, as opposed to remote video calls or email-only quotes. While our website has lots of information, due to the bespoke nature of everyone's properties and energy usage, that initial visit really helps us to explain what the system does, where it will be fitted and what to expect once it's up an running.
We provide an in-depth quotation, with all of the components of the system broken down so that customers can see exactly what is being installed, along with the expected savings and benefits that it will provide.
Winning New Business of the Year is no small achievement. How do you see this award shaping Solr Energy's future? Are there any specific goals or projects that you're excited to tackle next?
Winning the award has provided a mark of validation and trust in our operations — not only to ourselves, but also to customers who see the badge on our vans.
Our goals as a company are to grow our installation team so that we can increase solar power within Gloucestershire and explore more opportunities to make this more viable to more of the population.
Due to the high expectations we have for our team, finding the right people is always a difficult but worthy process.
Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs in Gloucestershire looking to start a business?
We'd say that building a business takes persistence and flexibility. Knowing your market, staying true to your values and understanding the needs of the area you are working in will help you to create a positive impact within your sector.
