Gwent Energy Cic

What Gwent Energy Cic does

Gwent Energy CIC is a Community Interest Company (CIC) founded in 2008 by Phil Powell and headquartered in Chepstow, Wales. It installs solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage, electric vehicle charging points, LED lighting upgrades, and biomass/wood-pellet boilers for homeowners, community groups and non-profits, and small and medium enterprises across South East Wales, including Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent. The company reports more than 500 solar PV systems installed since inception and highlights that its installed base generates approximately £5 million of annual community benefit, primarily through bill reductions at community buildings in deprived areas.

The business operates a community-led go-to-market model anchored by a two-hour on-site survey that produces a bespoke PV report and quote. Sales channels include direct field engagement, an e-commerce shop for solar diverters (SOLiC 200 at £360, Solar iBoost at £510), and a public EV charging network funded initially by the Rural Development Programme's Fully Charged pilot. Revenue is generated from one-time installation contracts, a Care Club aftercare monitoring subscription, usage-based EV charging fees, and management of community investment vehicles. Capital is raised via an Investors' Club of approximately 40 community members who have loaned £250,000 against 10-20 year contracts at roughly 3% returns.

Gwent Energy CIC differentiates through MCS-certified installations independently verified by Site Response Services, OLEV approval for EV charging, deep relationships with local councils (Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire) and funders (UKSPF, RDP, Coalfield Regeneration Trust), and a reinvestment model that channels EV charging revenue into community benefit (e.g. defibrillator installations). The team is small (1-10 employees) and founder-led, with a board of five trustees drawn from environmental and community networks; the company does not have institutional venture or private equity backing.

Name

Gwent Energy Cic

Legal name

Gwent Energy CIC

Website

https://gwentenergycic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gwent Energy CIC is a Wales-based Community Interest Company that installs solar PV, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging solutions for homeowners, community groups, and SMEs across South East Wales, with over 500 systems installed since 2008.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Installation Services

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Power Generation (22111), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Heating Equip, Except Elec & Warm Air; & Plumbing Fixtures (3430)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar PV Power Plant EPC (Utility-Scale) (EUAEAAAG), PV Balance of System (BOS) & Electrical Infrastructure (Inverters, Transformers, Cabling, Substations) (EUACAGAC)

Keywords

• Solar PV installation
• Battery storage systems
• EV charging infrastructure
• Community renewable energy
• Energy efficiency services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wales

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Solar PV Installation: One-time installation of solar PV systems for homes, community buildings, and businesses, priced as a bespoke quote following a site survey. Previously supplemented by Feed-in Tariff (FiT) income; FiT closed to new applicants March 31, 2019.
2. Care Club (Aftercare Monitoring): Remote system health monitoring and cleaning services for existing installations. Includes FiT meter reading submission service for peace of mind. Ongoing subscription-like revenue from the existing installed base.
3. Public EV Charging: Community EV charging points funded initially by the RDP Fully Charged pilot. Revenue generated from usage fees, partially recycled as community benefit funds. Charging costs are set by kWh per UK Government regulations, with real-time power and cost information provided.
4. Community Investment / Investors' Club: Community members invest through an Investors' Club, providing project financing. ~40 investors have loaned £250,000. Returns of ~3% with up to 0.5% bonus for outperforming projects, over 10-20 year contracts. Sites are charged for electricity supplied, discounted from licensed supply charges.
5. Hot Water Solar Diverter (EcoVoucher): Sale and installation of solar diverters (SOLiC 200 and Solar iBoost) as products, priced at £360-£510 including supply and installation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gwent Energy CIC installs solar PV panels, battery storage systems, and electric vehicle (EV) charging points for homeowners, community buildings, and small businesses in South East Wales. The company complements its installation work with repairs and upgrades for existing PV systems, ongoing remote monitoring through its Care Club aftercare programme, and a public EV charging network operated as a community-benefit service.

Product overview

Gwent Energy CIC operates as a renewable energy installation company offering a portfolio of interconnected products and services. The core offering includes Solar PV panel installations and Battery Storage systems for homes, communities, and businesses, with over 500 systems installed. The product suite is complemented by Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EVCPs) for both public and residential use. Add-on modules include Generation Optimizers for system upgrades, Solar iBoost hot water diverters, and LED lighting solutions. The company also provides repair and upgrade services (inverter replacements, panel replacements), and ongoing system health monitoring through their Care Club programme. All offerings are supported by MCS-certified installations and are primarily targeted at South East Wales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar PV Installation MCS-certified solar photovoltaic panel installation for homes, community buildings, and small businesses in South East Wales. Each project begins with a two-hour on-site survey producing a bespoke PV report tailored to roof size, electricity tariff, and site consumption, with a full cost breakdown. Over 500 systems have been installed since founding.
• Battery Storage Battery storage solutions paired with solar PV installations, allowing daytime-generated electricity to be stored and used when needed. Installed alongside PV systems for homes and community buildings such as Ebenezer Church (20kWh) and Ebenezer Baptist Church (10kWh).
• Electric Vehicle Charging Points Public and home electric vehicle charging infrastructure using Rolec Quantum units with contactless payment, kWh-based pricing, and real-time power/cost information per UK Government regulations. Includes a community charging network across Monmouthshire, the Vale of Usk, and Newport, with revenue partially recycled into community benefit funds such as defibrillators.
• Solar iBoost / Hot Water Solar Diverter Standalone product sale and installation of SOLiC 200 (£360) and Solar iBoost (£510) hot water solar diverters, including VAT, supply, and installation. These redirect excess solar electricity to a hot water tank for households with existing PV systems.
• Repairs and Upgrades Service Repair, safety, and upgrade services for existing PV systems, including inverter replacements, solar panel replacements, generation optimizers, solar iBoost diverter retrofits, and roof leak checks. Includes fire safety upgrades (ArcBox arc containment, rapid shutdown switches, inverter smoke detection) for older installations.
• Care Club (System Health Monitoring) Recurring remote system health monitoring and cleaning service for existing solar PV installations. Includes submission of Feed-in Tariff (FiT) meter readings to energy suppliers on the customer's behalf for legacy FiT installations, providing peace of mind to system owners.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~80% electricity use reduction for community buildings (Ebenezer Baptist Church case study)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Blaenau Gwent County Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council delivered a wider programme of renewable energy projects across the county, using UKSPF (UK Shared Prosperity Fund) Community and Place funding. Gwent Energy CIC was selected as the installation partner for Ebenezer Church project under this programme, contributing to the council's net-zero 2050 ambition.
• Monmouthshire County CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonmouthshire County Council supported defibrillator provision at Chepstow Community Hub and the community EV charging network. Gwent Energy CIC's EVCP revenue funds community benefit for Monmouthshire.
• Site Response ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationMCS-accredited third-party quality assurance company that independently verifies all of Gwent Energy CIC's registered solar PV installations, ensuring quality standards are met.
• RoleccoreTechnology or IntegrationRolec's Quantum EV charging range (wall-mounted and pedestal units with phone app) was selected as the replacement system for Gwent Energy CIC's community EV charging network following UK Government regulations requiring kWh-based pricing and real-time information.
• Monmouthshire Community Climate ChampionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhil Powell, Technical Director, is on the committee of Monmouthshire Community Climate Champions and helped organise Eco Open Doors events. Joint advocacy for climate emergency declaration.
• Bee Friendly MonmouthshireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGwent Energy CIC's Web and Design administrator Cyrene Powell is chairperson of Bee Friendly Monmouthshire and runs the Less Mow No Spray public Facebook group. Cross-promotional community presence at Chepstow Show.
• Wellington Baptist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGwent Energy CIC funded a wood pellet boiler ~6-7 years ago for Wellington Baptist Church. During the 2022 cost-of-living crisis, the church's low heating costs enabled them to open the UK's first Energy Refuge Centre, which Gwent Energy CIC publicised and supported.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Joju Solar: Joju Solar is a UK-based solar PV and battery storage installer serving homes, communities and SMEs with a similar mission-led ethos. Directly comparable on product scope (rooftop PV, battery, EV charging) and on operating as a smaller, customer-focused installer in regional UK markets.
• Good Energy: Good Energy is a UK renewable electricity supplier and community-energy generator/purchaser, with strong roots in community-owned renewable projects. Comparable to Gwent Energy on community-energy model, UK geography, and mission-driven renewable deployment.

Broad incumbents

• Ecotricity: Ecotricity is a UK green energy company generating and supplying renewable electricity with a strong environmental mission. Comparable as a broader UK player in renewable generation, though it operates at significantly larger scale than the community-install niche Gwent Energy serves.
• Centrica / British Gas: Centrica owns British Gas, which sells residential solar, battery storage and EV charge points (e.g., Local Heroes). Offers overlapping capabilities to Gwent Energy CIC but as part of a much larger utility portfolio focused on mainstream UK consumers.
• Octopus Energy: Octopus Energy is one of the UK's largest energy suppliers with growing solar PV, heat pump, and EV offerings via acquisitions (e.g., Octopus Solar). Overlaps with Gwent Energy on residential solar and EV charging but serves a national customer base.
• EDF Energy: EDF Energy is one of the UK's largest energy suppliers and a significant installer of residential solar PV and EV charge points. Comparable on product offerings (solar, battery, EV) but as a broad incumbent with national reach rather than a community-focused regional installer.

Regional players

• Pure Planet (community renewables): Pure Planet / associated community-energy initiatives operate in parts of the UK renewable supply and small-scale generation space. Comparable on community- and small-scale-renewables positioning, though primarily a supplier rather than an installer like Gwent Energy.

Others

• Solar Energy UK: Solar Energy UK is the trade association representing the UK solar industry, of which Gwent Energy is implicitly a member via its MCS certification. Relevant as an ecosystem/peer network that influences standards, accreditation and policy affecting Gwent Energy's operating environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/GwentEnergyCIC
• Facebookfacebook.com/GwentEnergyCIC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gwent-energy-cic

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Gwent Energy Cic