Low Carbon Energy

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.

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

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

• Commercial solar PV installation
• Battery storage solutions
• Power purchase agreements
• Solar maintenance services
• Renewable energy EPC

Headquarters

HQ city

Burnley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Solar Panel and Component Sales: Hardware sales including solar panels, inverters, optimisers, and associated equipment as part of complete installation solutions.
3. Maintenance & Asset Management Services: Ongoing maintenance services for installed solar PV systems including 24/7 performance monitoring, preventative maintenance, and reactive repair services.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers22 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Activ8 EnergiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2025Activ8 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.
• MaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMace 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 AguaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGlan 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 TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLow 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 FootprintsminorOthersPositive 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

Broad 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/activ8-energies-uk/?1
• Xx.com/lowcarbonenco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Low Carbon Energy