We’re extremely proud to announce that our sister company UT Power is celebrating their 8th year installing commercial Solar PV.

They have collaborated with many businesses across the UK to help them take control of their energy, save money, and reduce their carbon footprint.

Over the years we have heard all the myths under the sun!

Top 5 Solar PV myths:

• Solar PV is too expensive.
• We can offer finance arrangements that allow you to pay for the cost in smaller monthly payments.
• Grants and Funding may be available, we’ll help you source these.
• Investing in Solar PV will help you generate a large amount of your energy yourself; you won’t need to buy as much energy from the grid, so you will be less exposed to volatile market changes.
• With consistent costs you can predict your energy spend.

Our site isn’t exposed to enough sunlight.
Many organisations believe their sites don’t receive enough sunshine to make Solar PV worthwhile. According to the National Geographic enough sunshine hits the Earth every hour to power the world’s energy needs for a whole year! Even on cloudy days Solar panels still generate clean and efficient electricity. With a carefully designed system Organisations can offset up to 50% of their electricity needs with Solar PV.

We don’t have enough roof space for Solar PV.
Solar PV doesn’t have to be installed on roof space. There are several types of commercial Solar power available:

• Ground mounted Solar PV
• Roof mounted Solar PV
• Solar Car canopies
• Floating systems

Solar technology is constantly improving – we’re better off waiting.
That is true for all technology not just Solar PV. A well-maintained Solar system can last for over 25 years. We use high-quality equipment from tier 1 manufacturers, so it’s built to last for decades.

Installing Solar PV is a lot of work – it will take time away from our other daily operations.
Our Solar experts offer a customised service from start to finish. We’ll design your system with high quality equipment and inverter options that optimise production. Even after it’s switched on, we can maintain and monitor it throughout its lifetime.

Are you interested in Solar PV? Speak to one of our experts today – 01163 667981

At Utility Trade Group we are proud to partner with Energy Suppliers who are leading the way to a greener future.

Scottish Power have released their new ‘renewable for business’ tariff which allows businesses to benefit from 100% renewable electricity, generated right here in the UK!

This new tariff will help business customers start their journey to net zero and play their part in protecting the planet.

Contact us now to discuss your business’s future with green energy. 01163 667981.

Features and Benefits

100% verified renewable electricity.
Every unit of electricity is matched 100% with renewable energy generated by Scottish Power from our renewable sources right here in the UK, backed by REGOs as verified by independent auditors and sustainability experts. And it’s fully compliant with GHG Protocol Scope 2*.

Boost renewable credentials.
Customers can demonstrate their commitment to helping build a sustainable future.

Protection from wholesale energy cost increases.
This tariff consists of two parts, a fixed price element, where the energy costs are 100% fixed for the duration of the fixed term contract, up to 3 years. And a variable element, which is linked to changes in external industry costs, such as network, social and environmental obligations that may increase or decrease during the term.

There has never been a more important time to have an energy consultant for your business.

With the constant market movements and industry changes, we are here to ensure you are always up to date with energy news and understand how these changes may impact your business.

We work with thousands of businesses across the UK and provide tailored advice to your industry type, helping you to make the most educated decision when agreeing your new energy contracts.

We can also review your consumption and offer renewable solutions to help you reduce this, lowering your carbon footprint and saving you money in the long run. Our sister company UT Power Limited will be with you every step of the journey, from design and costings, to supplying and installing your chosen solution(s) to aftercare.

The market is incredibly volatile right now, let us help you navigate your next steps.

Did you know faster switching is coming?

Expected to launch mid-July, non-domestic customers will be able to switch their energy supplies in as little as two working days* for both gas and electricity.

By improving the speed and reliability of switching, the changes aim to increase the number of consumers actively engaging in the market, with the view to drive competition leading to lower bills, better tariffs, products, and services.

There is a “no switch period” between 19th – 21st July* where no supply will be able to move to a new supplier whilst the changes being inputted, your supplier or consultant should have been in touch to explain what options are available if you are affected.

If you’d like more information about faster switching, or your supply is due to move in the no switch period and you have not been contacted, give us a call and we can let you know what your supplier has in place.

*Individual suppliers may have a longer window whilst ensuring all the changes work effectively.

During the summer months, we tend to spend less time indoors and are therefore less reliant on household appliances which helps to reduce your energy costs, but there is more you can do to keep your usage low. ?

Keep your windows closed during the day
We know, our first impulse when it gets too hot is to open a window. However, opening your window allows more warm air to enter your home. Keep your windows closed during the day when temperatures are high, with blinds and curtains also closed to block direct sunlight. Open them at night when temperatures drop to allow cool air to circulate your home. Remember, fans only circulate the air in your home, so letting in less warm air means you won’t need to use them as much.

Don’t leave appliances on standby
Other than just wasting energy, appliances emit heat when they are not completely switched off. Turning them off or unplugging them can help to keep your home cool during warmer periods.

Dry your clothes outdoors
Washing machines and tumble dryers generate a lot of heat, so cut back on this by only doing full loads and try using a lower temperature on your machine. Using a clothes horse or hanging your washing out on the line is a great alternative to using a dryer.

Try to avoid using your oven
Some ovens can take a long time to get to temperature and to cool down, meaning extra heat in your kitchen for a long period. If you are able, try to do more of your cooking with a microwave or slow cooker to keep your kitchen cooler. Or if you have one, use your barbecue!

And don’t forget to take care of yourself!

? Drink lots of water
☀ Stay out of the sun between 11am – 3pm if possible
?‍? If you have pets, only walk them early morning or late evening

You’re probably sick of the notification, “it’s time to send us a meter reading!” But there has never been a more important time to send in regular readings. We’ve all seen the news, prices are sky high, numerous suppliers buckled under the increase and price caps and direct debits payments are on the rise.

If you’re currently out of contract for a domestic supply, the new price cap comes into place on the 1st April and is 54% higher than the current cap! You should log a meter reading on the 31st March to ensure you are billed accurately on your lower rates before the change happens. (You can also take a picture of your meter, just in case the supplier requests this).

For business customers, make sure you’re sending in a read before a new contract starts, whether you’ve renewed with your current supplier or you’re moving to a new one.

If you don’t have a smart meter, sending in regular monthly reads means you’ll only be billed against what you’re using. Estimated bills can be extortionate and they aren’t always picked up in time before the payment is taken out.

If you’d like to move over to a smart meter so it takes the job off your hands, contact us today and we can request this with your supplier.

We are ecstatic to announce that we have won Business of the Year at Harborough District Business Awards 2022!

The Harborough District has some incredible, independent businesses that would have been worthy winners, which makes us even prouder to have won! Congratulations to all the nominees and winners at the event.

A huge thank you to the Polka Dot Events Management team that put the awards together, and to the sponsor of our award Rambutan.

We had an amazing evening and to be acknowledged as Business of the Year is such a fantastic accomplishment.

Utility Trade & UT Power have teams of incredibly hard working, dedicated people. They put their heart and soul into every project, ensure every contract detail is accurate, provide the best customer service and work harmoniously together.

We wouldn’t be where we are without the amazing people who uphold our company values. Whether it’s helping customers through the volatile climate of rising energy costs, to helping businesses on their net zero journey or keeping everyone connected with their telecoms, we’re here to help.

To all our team members, this one is for you! ?

⭐⭐⭐Winners! ⭐⭐⭐

We are so proud to announce we took home the award for Housing Project of the Year at the Total Awards 2021!

Bromford Housing Association reached out as they wanted to continue with their energy efficiency objectives for 2020, including meeting their EPC requirements as well as help with their decarbonisation goals.

As this installation took place during the peak of the pandemic, we had to overcome some challenges we had not previously come across before. Shortage of materials, delayed deliveries, heightened health and safety restrictions, self-isolation notifications, the list goes on!

Across 14 dwellings, of which some of the housed residents were classed as vulnerable, completing on schedule with a heightened level of care was essential.

Our team was incredibly proactive and took all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of everyone involved, and we were thrilled to be able to complete the project on time and still deliver to our high standards, despite the circumstances.

The multi solution project comprised of the installation of infrared panels, water heaters, battery storage and solar PV.

☀ 36,000kwh PV generation
? 40% reduction in heat demand
? Battery storage reducing energy costs

We spent time individually with the residents, and created fact sheets to ensure they understood the heating solution and how best to use it, also pre-setting some of the control panels for ease.

We are providing quarterly reports and real time monitoring of the battery and the generation of renewable energy to support Bromford’s carbon reduction target.

Congratulations to our hardworking, dedicated team. We appreciate everything you do!

We are proud to be supporting this government funded campaign, which runs up to 24th January.  The aim is to help people cut their energy bills and get the financial support they are entitled to.

We work with all main suppliers, creating awareness of how to switch tariff to get the best deals, make homes & businesses more energy efficient, and access unique or limited discounts. 

Whether you’re a personal or business energy customer, being enrolled in a tariff that isn’t right for you, can have extreme consequences on the costs that you’re likely to incur. Small-scale, simple changes can help to save energy, the environment, and reduce costs.

We are experts in energy management and energy efficiency sectors. We work with you to connect your energy supply and energy efficiency products to your business needs, driving your business forward. 

There is no better time to do your bit for the environment and reduce your costs – so get in touch with Utility Trade Group today and speak to one of our experts.

With energy consumption being higher in winter and the new year offering great deals, there’s no better time to look at what a new energy supplier can offer you.

The Best Deals – We already have an established relationship with many of the different energy providers, which can help to save money, and receive better terms too.

Understanding the Fine Print – Energy deals can often have terms that may not be immediately clear. Examples include expiring prices after a certain period, price increases after certain usage, amongst many other things that can impact how much you pay. We will ensure that you’re made aware of all of these possible changes and may even be able to help ensure they aren’t added to your new contract. 

A Smooth Transition – Dealing with your current supplier and your new supplier during the changeover process in your energy deal can be time consuming and frustrating. However, our process is largely pain free. As experts in the field, we will handle all existing and new supplier correspondence. 

Get in contact with our experts today to see how you can save on your current energy deal or send us your bill, and we’ll get in touch with you with our recommendations.

We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Diversity Pioneers Award. For many years we have taken a holistic approach to building a strong and sustainable working environment. Inclusivity is a top priority, and we strive to deliver as positive a workplace for everyone who joins our team

We are proud to report that as a small enterprise we have a 10% turnover rate with many of our staff members having been with us long term. However, we strive to reduce that number year on year. We feel our policies of promoting and advancing team members internally, playing to their strengths with both role and future training has contributed to a happy workforce.

Having a diverse workforce has proved invaluable for us during these unprecedented times. We have been able to cross skill into multiple departments, removing the need for redundancies, provide flexible working, thus supporting our people’s wellbeing outside of work as well as in the office.

We will endeavour to strengthen our diversity culture and will continue to deliver an open and flexible working environment for anyone who joins our brilliant team. If you would like to join us, we’d love to hear from you. We are adding to our team across various roles, please send your CV to [email protected]

The TELCA 2020 awards will take place on December 11th through a livestreamed event with a total of 41 businesses shortlisted across ten different awards.

A very proud moment for all the team. We’re delighted that we have been shortlisted for this year’s TELCA Consultancy of The Year Award.

We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted, it’s recognition for all of the hard work that our entire team have put in during this difficult year. We have certainly had to adjust some internal processes to ensure we’re able to deliver the same brilliant and reliable service to our clients with minimal disruption. This nomination has given us an opportunity to reflect on these changes and recognise the hard work that all our team have contributed towards our success.

We understand that importance of not being static and that continuous improvement never ends. Our ethos is clear, always aim to continue moving forward and making positive changes. Strive to always deliver the best service and the best experience possible.

This Consultancy of the Year nomination shows we’re heading in the right direction, we won’t slow down in our efforts to continue offering the best and most well-rounded service possible for years to come.

The TELCA 2020 awards will take place on December 11th through a livestreamed event with a total of 41 businesses shortlisted across ten different awards.

We’re absolutely delighted that we have been shortlisted for x 4 TELCA 2020 Awards this year.

Our recent post took a look at each category we’ve been nominated for and more details around the ceremony itself. The TELCA 2020 awards will take place on December 11th through a livestreamed event with a total of 41 businesses shortlisted across ten different awards.

Our next series of posts will outline the categories individually!

In the second of our four-part series for the TELCA Awards, this post will take a look at our nomination for Best Customer Service. This nomination certainly carries a lot of pride, it has been a very difficult year, and to be recognized for delivering the same outstanding customer service we pride ourselves is definitely rewarding!

The best customer service award focusses on all the solutions that nominees put forward to keep customers informed and happy – it isn’t just about being nice or keeping to SLA’s, but also about the steps we take to ensure they’re receiving the highest quality service plus confidence that our advice is trustworthy. We know that our customers are at the heart of our business and we strive to ensure each customer feels valued. 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone in the country, and we took this an opportunity to look at our own internal processes, making improvements to reinforce our customer service approach, building on the positivity that our customers have come to expect.

This nomination doesn’t mean we should be content with our current systems and policies.

We will always look for ways to improve and adapt, and as head into the New Year we look forward to delivering the best in customer service.

We’re absolutely delighted that we have been shortlisted for x 4 TELCA 2020 Awards this year.

Our recent post took a look at each category we’ve been nominated for and more details around the ceremony itself, with our next series of posts taking a look at the categories individually!

The TELCA 2020 awards will take place on December 11th through a livestreamed event with a total of 41 businesses shortlisted across ten different awards.

The first nomination we’d like to take a look at is for The Wellbeing Award – the category nominations are for those who have taken a focus on the wellbeing of their staff and clients with a focus on efforts taken over the past twelve months. Whilst it has certainly been a difficult year full of unique challenges to tackle, our commitment to putting the wellbeing of everyone we work with and everyone who works for us has always been paramount.

Throughout the year we’ve paid special attention to the wellbeing of our employees. Whilst adhering to all government guidelines for staying safe, our focus and investment on mental health needs has been significant during this difficult period of time. Ensuring that our team are in a good place, able to deliver the same great service.

Similarly, we understand that our customer needs have also changed throughout the year and have had to make change to ensure we’re able to meet their changing needs too.

The nomination doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels, however, as we’ll be looking at how we can continue improving our approach into the New Year as some things return to normal, and others continue to adjust.

We’re very excited to announce that we have been shortlisted for 4 categories in the upcoming TELCA 2020 Awards.

Our fantastic team have been able to pull together a huge effort to provide quality work and support throughout these challenging times and we’re very proud of the work they’ve delivered.

Considering the very high level of applicants, we are thrilled to have been recognised by Energy Live News for our work towards reaching the Net Zero goal. It is a fantastic accolade for us to be shortlisted for multiple categories!

With applicants for the Awards numbering over one hundred across ten different Award categories, we are thrilled to have been considered and shortlisted for these categories.

Consultancy of the Year

Best Customer Service (Large)

Diversity Pioneers

The Wellbeing Award

We’d like to wish everyone else up for nomination good luck, and to say thank you again to everyone we work with. A special thank you to Energy Live News for nominating us and the judges for shortlisting us.

Here’s to hoping we can add to our win last year at the National Energy Efficiency Awards and take home a win at the TELCA 2020 awards too!

2020 has been a great year for the renewables industry, as new records have been set for lower reliance on coal power, and extended periods of time in which renewable sources delivered all of the power needed.

Our own achievements have been able to stand here too, as we’re set to exceed 10 megawatts of power generated from solar PV installations within the next twelve months. The successes here and the renewed focus on delivering a greener recovery from the pandemic have led to growing funds being approved for renewable projects, with the most represented throughout the year being focussed in wind as capacity is set to grow.

A tracker report from Cornwall Insight suggests that a total of 1.3 gigawatts could be added this winter alone with a 5% rise resulting in 25.4 gigawatts of total capacity installed by March 2021. This doesn’t factor in the news we had brought to you recently with Boris Johnson announcing the £160 million in funding to help build infrastructure for the wind power industry, which will be focussed on upgrading ports and factories within the UK to support the growth. If the goal hoped to be reached by the prime minister for the UK to become a world leader in clean wind energy, this suggested capacity increase may certainly help. Whilst there is no guarantee that many of the planned sites will be completed before the winter is over, this does show a very positive sign of movement for the renewable energy industry.

The wind industry hasn’t been the only positive movement in the renewable energy space however, as solar has been performing extremely well too. Recent announcements for new solar arrays and the records that have been broken have shown the tremendous growth. With growing support for a cleaner recovery from the pandemic too, it is expected more funding will be granted for renewable projects.

To discover which options may be the best fit for your own clean energy goals you can explore our range of energy efficiency solutions, alternatively you can get in contact with our team of experts to have them guide you through your different choices.

The announcement of the UK’s goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 has helped to grow the renewable energy industry and ensure its importance is like never before.

As we’ve written about many times, we’re committed to helping deliver this change to net zero wherever possible, and we’ve already delivered a number of projects to meet that end, which can be seen through our customer case studies. This has also been shown in the number of projects we’ve been able to complete. In 2019 we had completed over 75 Solar PV installation projects to help the growing number of people looking to reduce their own impact on the climate, which led to us taking home an award at the National Energy Efficiency Awards. Over the next twelve months with existing projects, we’re set to exceed 10 megawatts of power generated from renewable sources too.

Furthermore, this has led to a new era of competition for the suppliers hoping to deliver these green energy solutions to a growing number of energy conscious consumers, who were looking to find out what they could do differently to reduce their own carbon footprint.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has brought even more awareness to this movement however, as earlier in the year, the positive impact had been almost immediately visible and led to growing support to bring the change to net zero as soon as possible.

Our commitment doesn’t end just with our installations either. We also hope to bring awareness to the ongoing issues and look to how renewable options can be a huge benefit, with our carbon offsetting programs and partnerships which plant a tree for every solar PV installation we complete. To the recent project we did with Erasing Nature, which hopes to bring more awareness to the challenges that are being faced around the world.

If you’d like to find out more about the contributions we’ve made to meeting the net zero challenge or would like to explore options to do your part too, you can get in contact with our fantastic team who’ll take you through the best options available to you.

Throughout the year, we’ve been bringing you the latest positive news within the solar energy space, with changing energy needs throughout the year.

This comes as the pandemic had caused many individuals and businesses to shift their energy requirements and after a very long summer, solar has had the opportunity to shine, as performance has hit record highs.

The growing support for solar in general and the performance seen over recent years has also led to further development for the renewable energy source within the UK. One of the latest to be announced has come from EDF Renewables UK, as they have outlined a plan to install a 49.9-MW solar far near Bramford in Suffolk. They hope that all necessary planning applications can be submitted before the end of the year, but there is currently no information on when construction or completion could be aimed for. This is set to occupy around half of the 160.6-acre plot, there may be more room for further development later on.

This announcement also follows news that came earlier this year, as the largest solar farm in the UK had been announced to be built on the north Kent coast. Spanning across a 900-acre plot, it has been suggested that this solar farm could supply power to 91,000 homes and include one of the world’s largest energy storage systems to capture any excess.

The growth in solar is something close to us here at Utility Trade too. Last year we were able to take home an award from the National Energy Efficiency Awards following the completion of over 75 solar PV installation projects, and the next twelve months could see our own network grow as we’re set to exceed 10 megawatts of power generated too. With increasing focus being placed on the development of the renewable space it is certainly an exciting time for solar.

If you’d like to discover more about our own solar farm projects and find out how solar may be beneficial for you, get in contact with our team today. Furthermore, if you’d like to explore our many other energy efficiency solutions, you can find out more here.

Over the course of this year, we’ve been reporting back on the results of numerous surveys we’ve completed surrounding public opinion of electric vehicles, and what may deter any change in perception.

Many of the concerns have often centered around battery capacity and travel distance, but recent announcements could push support for electric vehicles further still.

Both battery capacity and travel distance have been improved dramatically, as the major firms in the EV world continue to innovate and develop new products.

The most recent news comes from Tesla, as they continue to push forward development for electric vehicles. The world’s largest EV provider hosts a yearly event for shareholders and enthusiasts alike to unveil potential changes that may be on the way, with this year focusing on battery day.

The most promising change has been the proposed range increase that will be seen within the next couple of years. Adjustments in cell design, materials being used, and the way these cells are integrated with the vehicle are top of the agenda, with the suggestion being that range could increase up to 54% within the next two years. This could see standard models hovering around the 300 mile range jump up to nearly 500 miles of range, with even more growth being seen in the higher end models.

The other improvement comes in the cost of the improved batteries. The suggestion is that price per KWH could drop by up to 56% with savings being passed onto the cost of a new vehicle. Currently, the price of a new EV is a concern for consumers, so this could help to bridge that gap. Also, with a further announcement that a lower end model being released by Tesla could come around within the next three years, it may continue to drive sales upwards.

If you are thinking about making the change to an EV, we offer a whole host of EV charging solutions – get in contact with our experts today to find out more.

Over the past few months we’ve been bringing you news on the changing electric vehicle market and how there has been a shift in growing support during the pandemic period, as a premium is being placed on a cleaner recovery.

Cars haven’t been the only method of transport seeing attention, as the UK’s first railway to be powered entirely by renewable energy has recently received its certificates. There is a clear interest in preventing climate change in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, as our recent survey indicated that 44% of people are more receptive to using an EV:

The energy supplier behind these, Npower Business Solutions, has granted HS1 with the Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin certificates. This means that moving forward, all energy supplied to the rail operator has the guarantee that it is from sustainable, and renewable sources such as the growing wind and solar market.

This also means that both the trains themselves and the stations that HS1 will run out of will both be powered entirely with zero-carbon emissions and has been heralded as the green gateway to Europe. The high-speed link between London, Kent, and the Channel Tunnels is expected to reach the one-hundred percent renewable energy power by March 2022 – with future hopes that this change could reduce the carbon footprint of every passenger by up to 25% and cut the energy of each train journey by 10%.

The success with HS1 will be followed with the ongoing progress being made on the HS2 line that will connect the rest of the country by linking London, the Midlands, the North, and Scotland. This providing clean transport across the country and being a vital piece in the countries goal to reach net zero by 2050.

The ongoing pandemic has led to some slowing in progress, but this provides growing support for the clean energy solutions across the country too, as the utilisation of both solar and wind power has seen huge successes since the beginning of the year.

We’re fully committed to helping you reach clean energy goals to do your part with net zero too. You can explore our energy efficiency options or get in contact with our specialists, to have them guide you through which choices may be the best fit for you.