Two scientists, one obsession: solar done properly.
Shires Energy was started by Tom and Chris, friends of 25 years, housemates for four of them, and now business partners on a mission to grow the UK's installed solar base, and the understanding of what solar can do for communities, charities and commercial enterprise.
Tom went through a PhD and the discovery of two new superconductors because he wanted to do something about the roughly 30% of UK energy lost in transporting electrons. He is a world expert on graphite, its defects and intercalation, which gives him an intimately detailed knowledge of the physical causes of battery failure.
He has worked with many startups as a NED, observer and investor, and understands their journey, and the value of reducing volatility and uncertainty wherever that is possible. His investments support deeptech, agritech and the combination of the two, with a particular focus on regenerative agriculture.
Chris has been installing residential solar for 15 years. He has never compromised on quality, and he never will.
He and Tom have known each other for 25 years, and lived together for four of them. Both are curious, detail-oriented scientists who believe the British solar industry can, and should, be much better than it is.
Bedfordshire and the surrounding Shires.
We install across Bedfordshire and the neighbouring counties, and we'll travel for the right customer. Every install is MCS certified.
There are many misconceptions about solar, and a lot of little-known details that turn out to matter enormously. We hope our writing helps. And if you'd rather just have a chat, we'd love to hear from you.