EDF and Heliotec partner to cut small-business energy bills

EDF and solar specialist Heliotec have launched a joint programme to support small businesses in lowering energy costs through rooftop solar, battery storage and demand management. The initiative targets the same SME segment that operates light commercial fleets and faces rising fuel and electricity costs. For businesses considering electric vans or cars, on-site generation and smart charging can transform the economics of EV transition.

Installing solar capacity at a depot, workshop or head office allows businesses to charge electric fleet vehicles using self-generated power, cutting per-mile costs and insulating operations from grid price volatility. Combined with battery storage and time-of-use tariffs, the model can deliver payback in four to six years while reducing Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions. For service businesses making repeat local journeys, the operational fit is strong.

The key is to model vehicle charging demand alongside building load, ensuring panels and inverters are sized correctly and that charge points can be scheduled to maximise solar use. Businesses should also explore grant funding, Enhanced Capital Allowances and emerging vehicle-to-grid tariffs that pay fleets to export power during peak demand. Energy and fleet strategies are converging—plan them together, not in silos.

Bluepoppy helps businesses integrate EV transition with energy strategy, from right-sizing your electric fleet to specifying charge infrastructure and selecting the right funding. Our Fleet Cost Review includes EV readiness and TCO modelling to show you the true cost and carbon impact. Get in touch to explore your options.

Bluepoppy view: Solar and EVs belong in the same business case—model them together.

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