Martin Mulholland
Commercial Operations Director, Activ8 Energies
Manufacturers of all sizes can make significant savings on energy and operational costs with a transition to renewable energy sources such as solar power.
A transition to renewable energy has the potential to support businesses in achieving sustainable manufacturing goals and bring them into line with supply chain partners that may already be reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Reduce carbon emissions
Martin Mulholland, Commercial Operations Director with Activ8 Energies, says companies that adopt solar PV (photovoltaic) solutions can lower energy costs and make operational savings. “Reducing manufacturing costs additionally gives companies a competitive edge in the market,” he adds. Such a switch will also see businesses play a role in meeting Ireland’s Climate Action plan target of 80% renewable electricity by 2030. Activ8 Energies employs 270 people and provides large-scale solar installations for SMEs and industrial clients across Ireland, the UK and Continental Europe.
Bespoke system
The company provides end-to-end solar PV solutions, including energy audits, operational monitoring and identifying efficiency improvements to help companies reduce manufacturing costs and optimise energy usage. Solar design engineers, acquired globally and through their own graduate programme, then design bespoke systems from their headquarters in Co Monaghan.
We are seeing significant reductions in
the capital cost of these installations.
Typically, he adds, an organisation can expect to see the project pay for itself in two to three years. “With improvements in technology and the cost of PV modules coming down, we are seeing significant reductions in the capital cost of these installations,” Mulholland says.
Government grants
They also advise on planning permission and government grants, which range from €2,400 to €162,600, depending on system size. “We pride ourselves on a full process and have an in-house team to design the system from start to finish and then project manage it,” adds Mulholland.
Once installed, the company offers a full operations and management service with site visits, remote monitoring and thermal imaging drone reports.
Rather than capital outlay, an alternative option for companies is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where Activ8 and its partner SSE Airtricity fully fund and maintain the project over a specific timescale with agreed kilowatt hour rates to provide an organisation with “energy resilience.”
