A “first-of-its-kind residential solar pilot” has launched in St Ives that aims to unlock affordable clean energy for millions of UK households.
The project, deployed by solar tech company GRYD Energy in partnership with BK Developments, claims to be the first in the UK to test smart solar and battery storage systems for new-build homes that carry zero upfront cost burden for the developer or homeowner.
The funding model means housing developers and homeowners never have to pay for the solar panels installed on their property, saving developers up to £10k in hardware costs per home and allowing homeowners to reap the bill-saving benefits of solar from day one.
Three homes are included in the St Ives pilot. The installation has a peak capacity of 11.5 kilowatts and will generate 11,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, providing residents with over 70% of their energy demand.
The solar hardware is funded and maintained by GRYD for a fixed monthly price that is guaranteed and will not rise with inflation for the 25-year life of the system. The system has already reduced residents’ energy bills by 15% and will eliminate 1.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions per home annually.
The combined impact of the three pilot homes will eliminate 100 tonnes of C02 over the 25-year life cycle of the solar system, equivalent to 150 flights from London to New York.
GRYD Energy co founder, Tom Jordan, said: “I’m proud to deploy our first project here in Cornwall. Our county has an excellent track record of leading the environmental charge and was one of the first to declare a climate emergency – it’s the perfect home for our pilot that has the potential to unlock clean energy for millions of homes.
“Despite solar being the cheapest form of energy, over 9 million UK homeowners can’t access the bill-saving benefits of solar due to the high upfront costs. Developers across the country – who already face increased build costs – have struggled to invest in the renewable technologies they need to decarbonise and futureproof their properties.
With the launch of GRYD’s pilot in St Ives, we want to prove how innovative solar solutions can make clean energy accessible and affordable to all.”
Jordan had his first taste of startup success founding the beer brand JUBEL in 2017, which is now stocked in over 7000 stores nationwide. Jordan left the business to turn his attention to a climate-focussed venture, co-founding Gryd Energy in 2023.
