Air Handlers Northern (AHN) approached the Green Economy team in November 2022 for support souring a solar installation partner for part of their decarbonisation and energy efficiency strategy. As manufacturers, AHN were keen to improve the energy efficiency measures within their operation while reducing their reliance on the grid.
Introductions sped up the learning process
After establishing AHN’s project requirements, Priya Sirpal, Green Economy Business Advisor, shared an expression of interest with Green Economy’s membership, comprised of green technologies and services firms. Priya arranged face-to-face introductions and consultations with three organisations who specialise in solar installation; of those three, Mark Higgitt, commercial director at AHN, decided that KAST Renewable Energy were the best fit.
“We’ve been a member of Green Economy for a number of years,” explains Stephen Dootson, commercial director of KAST. “Because we’re a part of their Marketplace we get notifications about sales opportunities, and we saw a good opportunity with AHN. We applied, were introduced and shortlisted, and moved on to the feasibility study.”
“Being introduced to the experts directly and in-person sped up the learning process and sharing of knowledge,” said Mark as we visited AHN’s Salford warehouse a few weeks after the installation to gather their views on how the project had gone.
“I felt the introduction process was excellent,” he added. “I would advise any organisation considering a solar partnership to ensure that both the supplier and end user have a clear idea on timescales, deadlines, processes, and what needs to be done and why. Defining payback periods is also important. This builds a much clearer project specification.”
