About us
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Our mission
Our mission is to
- offer expert advice on all aspects of renewable energy;
- install high quality systems efficiently, cost effectively and in accordance with best practice;
- play our part in working towards a low-carbon future.
Why choose Spirit?
- Experienced installers, no subcontractors. Our installation managers have been installing renewable technologies for several years in this country and overseas and have carried out hundreds of installations. You can therefore be assured that your system will be fitted by an expert installer with a proven track record. We can provide testimonial after testimonial from satisfied customers saying how impressed they are with our installation team. You are welcome to speak to previous customers; some of our customers are also happy to show you around their system!
- We only install tried and tested quality products We take great care in product selection, aiming to combine quality and durability with best value for money. We don't just favour a single brand of product, instead preferring to offer you a choice ‐ from mid-market to top of market - so that you can choose how best to allocate your budget. Where possible we are accredited by the manufacturer for the products which we install.
- Unbeatable guarantees We offer an unparalleled guarantee package backed by the Independent Warranty Association. To read our guarantees in detail please click here.
- IWA backing (domestic installs) If we go out of business, you don't go out of pocket! We are backed by the Independent Warranty Association. Every time we carry out an installation, we pay IWA an insurance premium. This means that, if we go out of business and something goes wrong with your equipment IWA will pay for another accredited installer to sort out the problem.
- In-house expertise, experienced in both domestic and commercial installations. We pride ourselves on our in-house technical expertise and design capability. We provide a one stop shop for all aspects of an installation, including planning, structural advice and work 'peripheral' to the installation such as cable trenching and groundworks.
- Building Regulations compliance We aim for the highest standards on all installs. We also ensure that we comply with current Building Regulations. For example on solar panel installations we work closely with qualified structural engineers to ensure that we comply with Building Regulations Parts A and C. We provide full structural calculations for you and for Building Control to make sure that your roof can take the additional load. We do not take the view (as many of our competitors do) that the load from the solar panels is not material. We know from experience that it is. If your roof needs strengthening we will make sure this is done.
- Fanatical about customer service. Installing renewable energy technology should be a fun and rewarding experience and our friendly and helpful staff are on hand to ensure this is the case. We are totally committed to customer service. Our experienced staff are on hand to answer all of your technical questions. Test us out now - give us a call now on 0845 475 3953, 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday. We'll answer within a few rings and give you helpful advice on whatever you want to talk about. Each customer is allocated their own project manager to guide them through the installation process and offer assistance if required once the installation is complete. We have lots of satisfied customers and can put you in touch with one of them if you would like to take a reference on us.
- Fully accredited under MCS and REAL. We are accredited installers under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. You need to use an accredited installer to be eligible for any present or future tariff payments under the Renewable Heat Incentive. In addition, we are members of the REAL assurance scheme and we abide by their code of conduct.
- Fully insured and qualified We are fully insured and qualified to carry out the works in your property.
What next?
Fill in our quote request form for a no obligation quote.
Call us to discuss your requirements or arrange a FREE site visit.
Company background
Spirit Solar Ltd is an independent renewable energy experts specialising in the installation of high quality heat pumps, biomass boilers, solar electricity, solar hot water and rainwater harvesting systems.
The company works both in the domestic market and in the non-domestic market, installing systems on schools, community buildings, in farms and on warehouses and other commercial premises.
Formed in December 2009 by entrepreneurs with a long-standing interest in renewable energy, the company's mission is to offer expert advice on all aspects of renewable energy systems, installing high quality systems efficiently, cost effectively and in accordance with best practice.
Spirit Solar is managed by an experienced team of electrical, structural and heating engineers supported by project managers, surveyors and installers. Together we are committed to building a successful, sustainable business by focusing on superior technical excellence and outstanding service. With in-house planning and engineering expertise we are able to ensure our systems are fully compliant with the applicable regulations, and, by using only top quality components and installers employed directly by the company, we are able to maintain the high standards of quality and safety that clearly set us apart from the competition.
Since December 2009 Spirit Solar has grown rapidly and now employs more than 50 people. We are big enough to be able to offer the full range of expertise needed to maximise the return from every installation, but small enough to ensure that every customer receives a personal service, tailored to their requirements.
Background on the company founders
Spirit Solar Ltd is owned and managed by Ian Charles and Erica Robb, entrepreneurs who between them have 35 years of experience in starting and building up businesses. Ian Charles is a Chartered Accountant and has a degree in Medicine from Barts Medical College (1986). Erica Robb has a degree in Pure Mathematics from Oxford University (1990) and more recently a Masters in Applied Mathematics and Scientific Computing, also from Oxford University (2007), during which she investigated the mathematical solutions of the problem of using fixed (non-tracking) mirrors to maximise the concentration of the sun's rays on solar panels.
Ian and Erica own two businesses, one being Spirit Solar Ltd and the other being an internet retailer in the outdoor living / gardening sector (Meika Ltd, trading as Primrose London). Meika operates a range of websites, the largest of which is www.primrose.co.uk. Meika was started in 2003. It operates from an office in Reading and a 100,000 square foot warehouse in Winnersh, Berkshire.
Erica Robb has had a longstanding interest in green issues and in the renewable energy sector. In 2009 she launched a Low Carbon Day for Schools which took place in June 2010, supported by 1600 schools. She launched Spirit Solar at the end of 2009, funded by profits from Meika Ltd.
Accreditations and Warranties
Microgeneration Certification Scheme
We are accredited under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) for solar PV and solar thermal (certificate number NIC 1220). We are in the process of obtaining accreditation for heat pumps and biomass. You must use an MCS approved contractor in order to qualify for feed in tariffs and the renewable heat incentive.
REAL Assurance Scheme
We are members of the Renewable Energy Association Assurance Scheme and adhere to the REAL Code of Conduct.
NICEIC Approved domestic solar installer
NICEIC is the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting, an independent consumer safety organisation.
Sharp Accredited Solar Installer
We are approved installers for all Sharp PV products.
Kingspan Accredited Installer
We are accredited to install all Kingspan solar thermal products.
Mitsubishi Ecodan Installer
We are accredited to install Mitsubishi heat pumps
Actio2n Surrey
We are trusted installers for Action Surrey.
Warranties
We are members of the Independent Warranty Association. Our guarantee is therefore insurance backed with an independent insurance company.
Solar Photovoltaic
We install MCS accredited panels which come with a 5 or 10 year defects guarantee and a 25 year (and intermediate term) performance guarantees, depending on the panel. For specific warranty details, by panel, please refer to our table of solar panels here.
We use SMA (German) inverters. These are the market leaders in inverter technology. They come with a 10 year warranty, which is extendable to 15, 20 or 25 years at additional cost.
We are extremely confident of the quality of our installations and are happy to offer a standard 10 year warranty on all our workmanship. We guarantee all of our workmanship will be free from defects for 10 years from the date of commissioning and that all equipment and materials have been installed in accordance with manufacturer specifications. In the first 10 years after installation we will correct free of charge any fault arising in the system as a result of defective workmanship by Spirit Solar Ltd. Where there is a need to claim on a manufacturer�s warranty within the first 5 years we will make the claim from the manufacturer on your behalf and we will replace the faulty equipment free of charge.
To view our standard workmanship warranty please click here.
Solar Thermal
Kingspan/Thermomax panels come with a 10 year warranty as standard. Cylinders usually come with a 5 year warranty.
Our workmanship warranty is 2 years. We will investigate and rectify any query or complaint about your system in the first 2 years free of charge, with no call out fee.
Heat pumps
Mitsubishi and Dimplex heat pumps come with a 3 year warranty as standard. Hitachi heat pumps come with a 5 year warranty.
Our workmanship warranty is 2 years. We will investigate and rectify any query or complaint about your system in the first 2 years free of charge, with no call out fee.