Low Carbon Energy
Low Carbon Energy is a UK-based commercial solar PV EPC firm founded in 2008, designing and installing bespoke rooftop, ground-mounted, and multi-megawatt solar systems plus battery storage and maintenance services for commercial, industrial, and public sector customers across the UK and Ireland.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersBurnley, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Low Carbon Energy does
Low Carbon Energy Company Ltd. is a UK-based commercial solar PV engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm founded in 2008 and headquartered in Burnley, Lancashire, with a secondary office in County Galway, Ireland. The company designs, supplies, and installs bespoke solar PV systems for commercial and industrial customers, with project scope spanning rooftop installations, ground-mounted arrays, and multi-megawatt utility-scale systems (delivered range: ~50 kWp to 4.4 MWp). Its technical offering is anchored by integrated battery storage solutions and 24/7 performance monitoring plus preventative maintenance services, positioning it as a full-lifecycle provider rather than a one-time installer.
Revenue is generated through a mix of one-time installation contracts (outright purchase, asset finance), recurring managed services (maintenance contracts), and long-dated recurring arrangements (10-15 year solar leases and Power Purchase Agreements). Customer acquisition combines direct enterprise field sales to large organisations with an energy broker referral programme and engineering consultant partnerships; pricing is bespoke and quote-based. The customer base spans manufacturing, logistics/warehousing, retail, infrastructure (ports, airports), healthcare/NHS, hospitality, and the public sector, with named logos including BMW, Porsche, Boeing, Drax Power, Tata Steel, NHS, Boohoo, Port of Tyne, and Irish Water.
In August 2025, Low Carbon Energy was acquired by Activ8 Energies, an Ireland-based solar provider 50% owned by SSE Airtricity, giving it indirect backing from a major UK/Ireland energy group. Post-acquisition, the company continues to operate under the Low Carbon Energy brand while Activ8/SSE has publicly stated intent to double turnover and installed solar capacity. As of August 2025, the company has delivered 60+ MW of installed capacity across 300+ commercial sites in the UK and Ireland.
Low Carbon Energy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Low Carbon Energy
- Legal name
- The Low Carbon Energy Company Ltd.
- Website
- https://lowcarbonenergy.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Low Carbon Energy is a UK-based commercial solar PV EPC firm founded in 2008, designing and installing bespoke rooftop, ground-mounted, and multi-megawatt solar systems plus battery storage and maintenance services for commercial, industrial, and public sector customers across the UK and Ireland.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Low Carbon Energy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Solar PV Installation
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO), Solar Financing, Leasing & Ownership Platforms (Tax Equity, PPA, Securitization) (EUAMABAJ), PV Balance of System (BOS) & Electrical Infrastructure (Inverters, Transformers, Cabling, Substations) (EUACAGAC)
Keywords
Where Low Carbon Energy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burnley
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Low Carbon Energy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Solar PV System Installation: One-time professional services revenue from the design, supply, and installation of commercial solar PV systems. Turnkey installations tailored to site requirements with immediate ownership upon completion.
- Solar Panel and Component Sales: Hardware sales including solar panels, inverters, optimisers, and associated equipment as part of complete installation solutions.
- Maintenance & Asset Management Services: Ongoing maintenance services for installed solar PV systems including 24/7 performance monitoring, preventative maintenance, and reactive repair services.
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Solar PPA arrangements where Low Carbon Energy installs and maintains solar PV systems at no upfront cost to the customer, who purchases generated electricity at predetermined rates. Allows access to solar energy without capital expenditure.
- Solar Leasing: Fixed monthly fee arrangements (typically 10-15 year terms) for businesses to use solar PV systems. Customer owns 100% of generated electricity with options to purchase, upgrade, or extend at end of term.
- Asset Finance: Structured loan arrangements where costs of solar PV systems are spread over an agreed term with fixed monthly repayments. Full ownership transfers upon completion of repayments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Outright Purchase - full ownership from installation |
| Subscription | Monthly | Asset Finance - spread costs over agreed term |
| Subscription | Monthly | Solar Leasing - fixed monthly usage fee |
| Subscription | Monthly | Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) - no upfront costs |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Low Carbon Energy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Low Carbon Energy designs, supplies, and installs commercial-scale solar PV systems for UK and Irish businesses, including rooftop, ground-mounted, and multi-megawatt large-scale installations, with integrated battery storage options and ongoing 24/7 maintenance and asset management. Customers can acquire systems via outright purchase, asset finance, leasing, or zero-upfront Power Purchase Agreements.
Product overview
Low Carbon Energy is a commercial solar PV solutions provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of solar energy products and services. The core offering centers on commercial solar panel installations (rooftop, ground-mounted, and large-scale), complemented by battery storage and maintenance services. The company provides flexible financing options including outright purchase, asset finance, leasing, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), allowing businesses to access solar energy solutions regardless of capital constraints. Following its acquisition by Activ8 Energies in 2025, the company operates as part of the Activ8 Energies and SSE group while maintaining its UK brand identity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Commercial Solar PV Systems
Quantifiable outcome
- 60+ MW of installed solar capacity delivered across 300+ UK commercial sites
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Low Carbon Energy
Customer profileNamed customers22 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Low Carbon Energy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Low Carbon Energy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Activ8 EnergiescoreActiv8 Energies, an Ireland-based solar panel provider 50% owned by SSE Airtricity, acquired Low Carbon Energy in August 2025 taking 100% shareholding. LCE continues operating under its existing brand while benefiting from Activ8's resources and scale. Acquisition aims to expand beyond Ireland into the UK market and double turnover and installed solar capacity.
- MaceminorMace appointed Low Carbon Energy to design and install a 180kWp solar panel installation for an NHS Blood Transplant Centre in Newcastle. Mace acts as project manager/principal contractor with LCE delivering the solar installation.
- Glan AguaminorGlan Agua, consulting engineers providing project solutions for water and wastewater treatment in Ireland and UK, partnered with Low Carbon Energy for the Irish Water solar PV installation at Thurles. LCE worked from Glan Agua's technical drawings.
- Carbon TrustminorLow Carbon Energy is listed on the Carbon Trust's accredited supplier list, enabling discovery by businesses seeking approved renewable energy providers for solar installations.
- Positive FootprintsminorPositive Footprints is a local organisation dedicated to closing the skills gap in the UK, helping children realise their potential and providing career guidance. LCE supports this initiative through its charitable #inspiringchangetoday fund.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Low Carbon Energy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lightsource bp: One of Europe's largest solar developers, operating across utility-scale and commercial rooftop segments in the UK. Comparable as a UK-based C&I solar EPC with broader utility-scale capability, but significantly larger scale and bp-backed capital.
- Statkraft (formerly Solarcentury): Statkraft acquired Solarcentury in 2020, giving it a strong UK C&I and utility-scale solar EPC platform. Comparable as a UK commercial/industrial solar installer with similar project types and customer segments, but operating at much larger scale as part of a European renewables major.
- Centrica Business Solutions: UK commercial energy and solar division of Centrica (British Gas parent). Comparable as a UK-based provider of commercial solar PV and energy efficiency solutions to mid-market and enterprise customers, with broader energy services portfolio.
- E.ON Solar UK: UK arm of E.ON offering commercial solar PV, battery storage and energy solutions to businesses. Comparable in targeting UK C&I customers with solar plus storage offerings, though as part of a much larger diversified utility group.
- EDF Renewables UK: UK arm of EDF's renewables business, with solar PV and battery storage offerings for commercial and industrial customers. Comparable as a utility-backed solar EPC serving UK C&I customers, though EDF Renewables also operates in utility-scale wind and other technologies.
Regional players
- Inenco: UK-based energy management and decarbonisation services provider working with commercial and industrial customers. Comparable as a UK-focused partner helping C&I customers procure solar, storage and broader energy solutions, with similar client base though different operating model.
Direct peers
- Gridserve: UK solar and EV infrastructure company delivering commercial solar, battery storage and energy services. Comparable as a UK-based C&I solar EPC with battery storage integration and recurring energy service revenue.
- Activ8 Energies: Parent company of Low Carbon Energy since August 2025; Ireland-based commercial solar panel provider that is 50% owned by SSE Airtricity. Directly comparable as a C&I solar EPC with overlapping UK/Ireland market focus and overlapping blue-chip customer profile.
- British Solar Renewables: UK-based solar EPC specialising in commercial, industrial and utility-scale solar PV installations. Closely comparable as a domestic UK solar installer targeting similar C&I segments with bespoke system design and installation services.
- Open Energi: UK energy tech company delivering commercial solar PV, battery storage and energy management services to businesses. Comparable as a domestic UK C&I solar and storage provider with similar customer verticals.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Low Carbon Energy social profiles
Digital presenceLow Carbon Energy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Low Carbon Energy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Low Carbon Energy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Low Carbon Energy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Low Carbon Energy
What does Low Carbon Energy do?
Low Carbon Energy designs, supplies, and installs commercial-scale solar PV systems for UK and Irish businesses, including rooftop, ground-mounted, and multi-megawatt large-scale installations, with integrated battery storage options and ongoing 24/7 maintenance and asset management. Customers can acquire systems via outright purchase, asset finance, leasing, or zero-upfront Power Purchase Agreements.
Is Low Carbon Energy a public or private company?
Low Carbon Energy is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Low Carbon Energy founded?
Low Carbon Energy was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Low Carbon Energy based?
Low Carbon Energy is headquartered in Burnley, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Low Carbon Energy make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Solar PV System Installation is the primary driver. The others are solar Panel and Component Sales, maintenance & Asset Management Services, power Purchase Agreement (PPA), solar Leasing and asset Finance.
Who are Low Carbon Energy's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lightsource bp, Statkraft (formerly Solarcentury), Centrica Business Solutions, E.ON Solar UK and EDF Renewables UK. Inenco is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Gridserve, Activ8 Energies, British Solar Renewables and Open Energi.
Does Low Carbon Energy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Low Carbon Energy.
What industry is Low Carbon Energy in?
Low Carbon Energy's product category is Commercial Solar PV Installation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMABAB, Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System), with a secondary code of IMADAFAO, Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems. Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 4991.