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We’re on a journey to become a more sustainable business step by step. While we’re not at the finish line yet, we’re committed to making meaningful progress toward reducing our carbon footprint and supporting our clients with lower-carbon temperature control hire solutions.
One of the people helping to drive that change is Rob, our Technical Manager. Outside of work, Rob has transformed his home into a renewable energy powerhouse. We sat down with him to find out how his passion for sustainability is influencing his approach at Rapid Energy and how it could shape the industry going forward.
Q: Rob, what inspired you to set up a renewable energy system at home?
I transitioned to an electric car in 2020 to reduce my emissions, as I generally drive 70K miles a year or more. I bought a new house and decided to make it eco-friendly from the ground up, as sustainability is something I care deeply about.
Q: Can you tell us what kind of renewable tech you’ve installed?
“Sure. I’ve got 50 solar panels across the front and back of my house. There are three battery packs with a total of 18.8kW of storage, and two inverters that give me 15.8kW of usable power from the panels or batteries. I also use heat pumps to both heat and cool the house, which is essentially free to run.
During the day, the house runs purely on solar energy and exports the excess to the grid. At night, the batteries take over.”
Q: That’s impressive. How much energy are you generating and using on a monthly basis?
“In June, for example, I generated 2.71MWh of electricity and sent 2.33MWh of that to the grid, mostly during peak demand times. I also charged my batteries from the grid at night with 1.1MWh of off-peak energy. That helps the grid manage demand more efficiently.
My household used 1.48MWh that month, most of which was for charging my EV.”
Q: Is it correct that you’re thinking of redirecting 16MW of your renewable energy credits to Rapid Energy?
“Yes, I’m planning to redirect 16MWh of renewable energy credits to Rapid Energy. That means the clean energy I’ve generated at home can help the business offset a portion of its operational emissions.”
Q: Rapid Energy recently achieved Gold Certification from Neutral Carbon Zone (NCZ). How does that align with your personal values?
“It’s a great step. I know we’re not a carbon-neutral business yet, but the certification shows that we’ve assessed our impact and are making active changes.
At home, I’m essentially carbon zero apart from my work travel, and the electricity I do buy comes from 100% renewable sources. I have a passion for reducing carbon emissions, so I really appreciate that the company is moving in the same direction.”
Q: In your view, where can Rapid Energy continue to make progress on sustainability?
“One area I think we can grow in is the use of commercial heat pumps. They offer a greener alternative to traditional oil-fired heating. They still use electricity, but with a much lower carbon footprint overall. It’s a great technology for us and our clients, especially as demand for lower-emission solutions increases.”
Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to make their own renewable energy investment?
“It is a long-term investment, but by year seven, for me, the savings start to become significant. It’s not just about cutting costs though. You’re reducing your carbon footprint and even generating income by selling energy back to the grid. It’s good for the environment and makes sense financially, too.”
Q: Do you have any future plans for expanding your home energy setup?
“Yes, I’ve recently built two extensions and plan to add a garage with 24 more solar panels and another 10kW of battery storage. I also have a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit ready to go. While it’s not completely carbon-free, it’s a big improvement. It generates 5.5kW of electricity around the clock while heating the house and water. It’s a smart, efficient system.”
Sustainability at Rapid Energy
While we’re still on our sustainability journey, Rob’s story is a great example of the kind of mindset that’s guiding our progress. Recently, we have taken several important steps toward becoming more environmentally responsible:
- Transitioned to electric vehicles
- Launched a cycle-to-work scheme
- Upgraded facilities with energy-saving technology
- Offset 100% of 2023-24 emissions using certified, high-quality carbon credits
We’re proud to have achieved Gold Certification from NCZ, but we know this is just one milestone on a much longer path to Net Zero by 2050.
We’re committed to becoming a more sustainable business, one action, one project, one decision at a time.
