Certa launches €50m solar programme with first deals signed

Energy supplier aims to deploy 50 MW of commercial solar capacity as Irish businesses seek lower costs and emissions.

Certa, the Irish energy supplier owned by DCC, has begun rolling out a €50m programme to install solar power systems for large businesses, signing its first two agreements under a new Solar as a Service model.

The initiative, delivered through Alternative Energy Ireland, the solar company Certa acquired in 2023, will install rooftop and ground-mounted photovoltaic panels for businesses without requiring upfront capital.

AEI will oversee installation and long-term maintenance, while Wewise, another DCC subsidiary, will provide tailored financing.

Jabil, which develops and scales healthcare products for pharmaceutical and medical device clients, has become the first company in Ireland to adopt the model.

Powering up

Its agreement is valued at €1.2m and will see 3,000 solar panels fitted to its Bray facility in Co Wicklow, where it employs 450 people. The 1.5 MW system is expected to produce about 1.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year for the next 25 years, with estimated annual emissions reductions of 360 tonnes.

Lindab, a supplier of ventilation systems and building solutions, has also signed up, agreeing a €200,000 contract to install 400 panels across its three Dublin sites. The 178 kW system will generate about 165,000 kilowatt-hours of power annually and cut emissions by 44 tonnes.

Certa said the programme will target the installation of 50 MW of solar capacity across roughly 100 commercial sites over the next five years. The company estimates the projects will collectively generate 50 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to the annual consumption of about 12,000 Irish homes.

Orla Stevens, managing director of Certa Ireland, said the early deals reflected strong interest among large businesses.

“We are delighted to provide our Solar as a Service to Jabil and Lindab and to respond to the growing demand from large commercial businesses in Ireland who are seeking renewable energy solutions that enable them to reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions without any capital investment or maintenance costs,” she said.

She added that the model was developed to help organisations overcome the financial barriers that often deter investment in renewable infrastructure. “Our SaaS model is designed to help businesses adopt solar energy and to overcome the barriers to adoption, including limited access to capital to finance the initial high cost of installing renewable energy infrastructure, and the ongoing financial commitment that is required to maintain the solar power technology,” she said.

Steven Bray, managing director of AEI, said the approach simplified the adoption of solar power. “Solar as a Service makes it easy for businesses to harness the power of solar energy without the cost of purchasing and maintaining the technology. The service includes a single monthly fee and a service level agreement for the duration of the contract. It is a win-win for Irish businesses with the other benefits including significant energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint,” he said.

The programme forms part of DCC’s broader strategy to expand the availability of secure and cleaner energy. It also aligns with national climate targets, including Ireland’s ambition to produce 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 51% relative to 2018 levels.

Top image: Migdo Natal, Industrial Engineering & Facilities Manager at Jabil, and Orla Stevens, Managing Director of Certa Ireland

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