Naked Energy raises £8.875m for a UK solar-thermal factory
Great British Energy leads with £7.5m alongside existing shareholder Barclays Climate Ventures.
Manufacturing closer to demand
The financing will support a UK facility for Naked Energy’s Virtu solar collectors. The company expects the plant to reduce production costs and support expansion at home and overseas; its location had not been selected at the announcement.
The project is expected to create up to 40 direct skilled jobs and around 100 indirect roles. It builds on commercial installations at sites including the British Library and Wimbledon’s All England Lawn Tennis Club.
Replacing gas for building heat
Virtu collectors produce renewable heat at the point of use, serving buildings with regular hot-water and heating needs. The range includes a combined heat-and-electricity model, while Clarity software monitors system performance.
Great British Energy is investing through its Energy Engineered in the UK programme. Barclays Climate Ventures is adding capital after backing the business previously.
Use of funds
Establish UK manufacturing facility for Virtu solar thermal collectors
Expand domestic and international supply