When it comes to solar PV, energy storage and charging systems, Segen is the UK’s leading distributor with an impressive portfolio. Keen to maintain its status in the world of clean energy, the company is dedicated to investing in its growth. UK Business Development Director Paul Gregory explained more, in an exclusive interview with Inside Sustainability. Report by Imogen Ward.
When it comes to supplying the renewables market, Segen provides installers with high-quality and reliable equipment.
“Segen’s main mission is to help bring a brighter future for the world by enabling clean technology for all,” UK Business Development Director Paul Gregory explained. “We continuously adapt to the latest market developments and changes to ensure that this is possible.”
Building a solid reputation
Over the years, Segen has built up a vast portfolio of products perfect for the renewables market. Supplying solely on a business-to-business basis, the company can provide solar panels, inverters and storage, as well as charging and mounting solutions.
With two decades of experience under its belt – and a plethora of happy customers – Segen partnered with Tesla to become the only UK distributor of Tesla Powerwall. Designed to store energy, Tesla Powerwall can be used for power consumption and as a reliable backup during outages.
Segen also works in collaboration with a number of highly skilled manufacturers to offer the very best equipment.
With so many products available from its website, Segen invested in making the purchasing process as efficient as possible. In 2021, the company developed Kit Builder, which features all Segen’s current offering. This software enables users to efficiently and easily design an energy storage system that is compatible and complete. The Kit Builder is the quickest way for installers to receive
a quote and comes with the added assurance of a 30-day price-lock guarantee.
“When a business opens an account with us, it is then given exclusive access to the Segen Portal, which features all our products: it shows our stock availability and our prices as well,” said Mr Gregory. “This portal also features
our Designer tool and the Kit Builder tool, which allow the client to build a complete kit for its customer – this is especially helpful for installers who are less experienced.”
Also located in the portal is lots of training documentation, and technical masterclasses to ensure engineers have everything they need to provide a firstclass installation service.
Reorganising ready for growth
As the company begins celebration of its 20th year of operation, Segen is busy implementing plans to centralise its distribution to a single location in the Southeast of England. With almost 80% of its customer base situated in this region, Segen feels this will be
a vital step towards improving the company’s carbon footprint and opera tional efficiency.
This 265,000 square foot centre in Kent will utilise state-of-the-art management systems, to provide an improved customer service experience and a more accurate stock count.
Keen to inspire the next generation of workers, and retain the skills of its current workforce, Segen’s new distribution centre will also be home to its new academy.
“We predict a need for around 20,000 additional installers over the next five years, and currently, there is a shortage of skilled labour across the industry,” Mr Gregory explained. “This scarcity creates stagnation in the market which is detrimental to our clients, and we want them to be able to grow without being constrained by the number of installers they have. Our new academy is the perfect solution.”
As part of its offering at the academy, Segen also intends to implement an apprenticeship programme. Complete with wiring booths and a training roof at ground level, the academy will provide the perfect environment for installers (first time and experienced) to flourish.
Energy for all
Alongside the new centre, Segen has been readily investing in other ways to improve its carbon footprint. One of
the most prominent is the company’s work on a carbon and energy calculator.
“At the moment, we are developing this to work out our carbon savings and how much energy we have provided over the last 20 years,” Mr Gregory explained. “Once this is ready, we are going to add it to our website, providing an updated figure every time we sell another product.”
In the past year, Segen has also invested in several philanthropic endeavours, most recently in Ukraine. Working with RePower Ukraine (a charity working tirelessly to provide emergency power to Ukrainians), Segen are about to adopt a hospital in Kyiv.
“RePower Ukraine works hard to provide hospitals and medical centres with energy,” said Mr Gregory. “There’s a real energy insecurity currently in Ukraine, so by adopting a hospital, we can completely fund all its equipment. More information on how to support this can be found at The RePower Ukraine Foundation website or by contacting their UK ambassador Nick Arnold at nick@repowerua.org.”
The company is also supporting schools in their decarbonisation across the UK. There is currently an ongoing initiative in place, called Solar for Schools, that guides a school through the journey from funding, design, installation and operation. More information can be found at the Solar for Schools website. However: there are a lot of underfunded schools that are
not eligible for this scheme, which is where Segen is stepping in.
“We are donating our products to the schools that don’t make the cut,” Mr Gregory explained. “We are even looking into schools that were not eligible but are part of groups that were – all angles are being considered to really ensure that those in need are not forgotten.”
As it journeys through 2024, these initiatives are not the only thing keeping Segen busy. The company has filled its diary with lots of exciting events, from Solar & Storage in April to the InstallerSHOW in June. Segen is excited to speak to customers old and new.
“We love having a presence at events because it gives us the opportunity to promote our brands and mix
with everyone in the industry,” said Mr Gregory. “At the InstallerSHOW, we will be located in the Innovation Zone, promoting our new academy. It’s an incredible time for us as we have lots of new and exciting opportunities arising in 2024. This includes our new finance option launching later in the year, which will allow installers to offer homeowners and customers a low-cost finance option that will only be available through our network.”
In conclusion, when discussing the industry as a whole, Mr Gregory said: “We are working in an industry that is very young and dynamic. When I first joined, somebody said ‘welcome to the solar coaster’, and that is exactly what it is. There are ups and downs, but it is a thrilling experience from start to finish.” n
