A Leeds energy consultancy has raised £150,000 investment following a major contract win with a US soft drinks brand, and now plans to create up to four jobs in the year ahead.
Test Consulting specialises in helping other firms meet sustainability goals and has secured the investment from NPIF II - Mercia Debt Finance, managed by Mercia Debt as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. The sum will help it deliver a major project with the unnamed customer Stateside, and go towards business development efforts in the 海角视频, US and Spain.
The seven-strong firm was set up in 2016 by John Swallow using his electrical engineering and smart building integration experience, and provides energy monitoring services. It now works with clients such as brick maker Ibstock, Mid-Counties Cooperatives and Thorn Lighting.
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Mr Swallow, founder and CEO, said: “Solar power enables businesses to cut costs, reduce reliance on the grid and enhance their brand. However many fail to achieve the full benefits and in some cases, cannot claim carbon credits because the installations do not perform as well as expected. Monitoring gives complete visibility and quickly reveals any panels that are under-performing.
"The US contract is a real accolade for us and demonstrates the value of our unique service. We now aim to make further inroads in the US market and target other countries such as Spain with high uptake of solar energy.”
Test Consulting's solar monitoring service was developed at the request of Sol PV Group. The firm uses its own proprietary software, which can be linked remotely to any type of solar system and brings together data from multiple sites in one place. The software can take account of weather conditions to estimate power output.
Gary Whitaker of Mercia Debt added: “Test Consulting’s innovative service could help businesses worldwide to maximise their use of solar power and reduce their carbon emissions. We are pleased to support John and the team as they roll out the service internationally.”
Lizzy Upton, senior investment manager at the British Business Bank, said: "NPIF II was created to back innovative businesses just like Test Consulting across Yorkshire and the Humber. Its proprietary solar monitoring technology has the potential to drive real impact, both commercially and environmentally, and we’re proud to support the team as they scale their operations across the globe."