'Helping people own their power': Northern Ireland renewable energy pioneer powers ahead with 91% turnover rise to £12m in just three years

Renewable energy has changed considerably since Solmatix was established in Northern Ireland in 2008.

At the time, solar power was still an emerging technology here. Businesses and homeowners needed information, reassurance and practical expertise before they could seriously consider generating their own electricity.

Solmatix helped create that market, becoming an early advocate for renewable energy by educating customers, challenging misconceptions and demonstrating that solar could be a practical and commercially viable solution.

My own journey with Solmatix has given me a close connection to the business, its people and its potential. In September 2023, I acquired the company from Harvey Group, with the support of Belfast-based investment firm Cordovan Capital, returning it to independent ownership.

It was a significant personal and professional decision, but I believed strongly in the expertise within the company and the opportunity to build on its pioneering foundations.

Three years later, I am proud of what the team has achieved.

Since September 2023, Solmatix has delivered more than 750 renewable energy installations, with a combined solar capacity of approximately 39 megawatts across the UK and Ireland. Turnover increased by 91% to £12m in the financial year ending August 31, 2025, while we have created 14 additional jobs.

Those figures represent growth, but they also reflect the work behind every project. Our installations involve teams surveying sites, developing designs, navigating technical and grid requirements, managing procurement, working safely on location and supporting customers after completion.

Solmatix designs, installs, services and maintains renewable energy systems for businesses, homeowners and public sector organisations. Our work ranges from residential installations to large and technically complex commercial projects.

What sets us apart is our ability to manage that entire process. We do not believe solar should be treated as a standard product. Every building, organisation and energy profile is different, so systems must be designed around how customers use electricity and what they want to achieve.

A typical day for me can involve reviewing live projects, meeting customers and partners, working with our operational teams and looking ahead to new opportunities. As managing director and owner, I have to balance the immediate demands of running the business with its longer-term direction. No two days are the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most.

One of the greatest highs has been seeing the team respond to the opportunities and responsibilities that came with returning Solmatix to independent ownership. We have grown without losing sight of the technical standards, customer service and practical expertise on which the company built its reputation.

I am particularly proud that a Northern Ireland business is delivering significant renewable energy projects across the UK and Ireland. Our portfolio includes work for manufacturers, schools, hospitals, utilities, developers and public sector organisations, demonstrating the capabilities within our local renewable energy sector.

Of course, business growth is never a straight line. Renewable energy is affected by changing costs, grid constraints, planning considerations, procurement timescales and wider economic uncertainty. Customers are also dealing with their own financial and operational pressures.

Our response has been to focus on what we can control: providing honest advice, investing in our people, maintaining high standards and developing commercially realistic solutions.

We want customers to understand what they are investing in, how their system will perform and how it can support their longer-term energy objectives.

If I were starting again, I would remind myself that progress does not always happen at the pace you expect. There is a temptation in business to focus constantly on the next milestone. It is just as important to recognise what the team has already achieved and make time to bring people with you as the company develops.

Looking ahead, our ambition is to continue growing across the UK and Ireland while maintaining our base and identity in Northern Ireland. We are strengthening our position in the commercial, residential and public sectors and pursuing opportunities through major procurement frameworks and strategic partnerships.

There is still considerable work to be done to decarbonise buildings and help organisations take greater control of their energy. For Solmatix, that represents both a commercial opportunity and a responsibility.

The technology will continue to evolve, but our purpose remains straightforward: to help more people and organisations generate their own clean electricity and, quite simply, own their power.