EDF and Heliotec partner to cut energy costs for small firms

Energy supplier EDF has joined forces with solar specialist Heliotec to offer small and medium-sized enterprises affordable access to on-site renewable generation and storage. The partnership packages rooftop solar arrays, battery systems and smart controls into flexible financing structures, removing the traditional barrier of five- or six-figure upfront investment. Businesses can lock in lower unit costs, shield themselves from grid-price volatility and demonstrate tangible progress toward net-zero commitments without diverting capital from core operations.

For fleet and facilities operators, energy represents a growing share of total cost—especially as EV charging infrastructure comes online and workshops or depots run power-hungry tools, compressors and lighting around the clock. Solar and battery storage can offset daytime demand, enabling cheaper overnight charging of electric vans and cars, while surplus generation may qualify for export payments back to the grid. The operational benefits extend beyond cost: reliable on-site power improves resilience during outages and simplifies compliance with increasingly stringent environmental reporting standards.

Eligibility and payback will vary by building type, roof condition, orientation and local grid constraints, so businesses should start with a site survey and consumption audit. Grants and tax incentives—such as the super-deduction for plant and machinery or local-authority green-business schemes—can improve the business case further. Companies with multiple depots may prioritise the highest-consuming sites first, then roll out a phased programme as savings are proven and reinvested.

Bluepoppy view: Electrifying your fleet and electrifying your premises go hand in hand. Our EV transition planning includes a facilities and charging review, so solar, battery and vehicle strategies work together rather than compete for budget. A Fleet Cost Review also benchmarks your fuel and electricity spend, highlighting where renewable generation delivers the fastest return—and where smarter procurement or tariff switching might be the simpler first step.

Bluepoppy view: Electrifying your fleet and electrifying your premises go hand in hand.

Source: FMUK Online — summarised and written from a Bluepoppy perspective. We don’t reproduce the original article.