Our Story

The Bee Net Zero partnership is a cross-sector partnership bringing together networks, organisations and support programmes from across Greater Manchester. The region has set an ambitious, science-based target to be net zero by 2038. With business activity accounting for roughly a third of the region’s carbon emissions, the group understands the necessity for collaboration with other businesses to reach this target.

One of the key areas of focus for the partnership has been solar. As part of the mission to make Greater Manchester the easiest place to become a net zero business, the partnership has pushed for an uptake in the take-up of solar PV installations by encouraging businesses to join them on the ‘Rooftop Revolution’.

The Challenge

Historically, the main hurdle facing the transition to solar PV for businesses in Greater Manchester, and more widely across the UK, has been the financial aspect to acquiring and installing the technology onsite. Businesses in Greater Manchester were sceptical of the future financial and environmental benefits due to the lack of a trusted voice within the regional business community to demystify and state the facts about solar.

With the payback time for solar PV at a record low with a payback time between 5 and 6 years due to the 40%-80% saved in electricity, the rise in energy bills was seen as an opportunity to take advantage of businesses turning to on-site renewable energy sources as a means of reducing their reliance on the grid and unreliable energy prices. Depending on the size of the business, it could prove to be a lifeline.

The Solution

The Rooftop Revolution campaign aims to simplify the switch to solar by helping businesses to connect with local suppliers, understand the business case, learn about potential barriers, and gain the confidence to invest in solar.

By bringing together the advice from trusted partners from across Greater Manchester including Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Green Economy, Electricity Northwest, Manchester Climate Change Agency, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Manchester Business Board (LEP), the partnership hopes to become a trusted voice in the transition to solar and provide businesses of all shapes and sizes across Greater Manchester with the guidance they need to adopt green tech.

Bee Net Zero’s solar landing page provides resources and information on everything businesses need to know about installing solar, including information on finance, suppliers, and case studies from businesses that have recently made the switch.

This includes a guide created by Bee Net Zero partner Green Economy to help businesses understand how solar can be a part of their net zero action plan, especially considering its ability to cut CO2 emissions by between 3 to 5 tonnes per year. It aims to demystify some of the technical aspects of installing solar while matching businesses with the right installer and helping them how to overcome common barriers.

Steve Connor, Green Lead for Greater Manchester Business Board (LEP), said:

“For businesses considering installing solar on their premises – the time is now. It has enormous potential to help businesses save thousands on their energy bills while bringing down carbon emissions. Greater Manchester gets much more sunlight than people realise, and this offers businesses a low-cost, low-carbon source of electricity which can help them save money and become more sustainable from the day of installation.

The benefits are now too good to ignore – join the Rooftop Revolution and contact Bee Net Zero to explore how we can help.”