FEATURE electricity by generating your own , but you can also even start making money from the energy they produce when any excess energy returns to the grid .
John says : “ With energy prices being so high , the payback period for the installation costs around having solar panels has reduced by half .
“ We are currently working on a solar panels solution for a big client which is a football club and since we started looking at it , the project has gone from having an eight-to-nine-year payback period to four to five years .
“ The installation of solar panels is an area of business that we ’ re keen to develop . It naturally complements what we do , as we want to be known for everything around energy , saving energy and having an energy backup .”
At a recent job at a data centre in Scotland , Durata “ metered and monitored ” its energy usage , to work out where it could save energy and , ultimately , money .
The firm is also working with Tees Amp-based Press On Vinyl to rationalise their energy usage and work out how to provide more power in the most efficient way .
Using PV battery storage is another cost-effective solution for businesses that Durata can help with .
“ Looking at using alternative sources of energy and more energy-efficient equipment is something all businesses can do if they are looking to save money ,” John says .
“ At the British Library , which is one of our current clients , we are helping them to understand their energy use better by measuring what they are using and where , to work out where it might be possible to make savings .
“ What we often find is that the lights might be inefficient , or the air conditioning – and we can help by advising on more modern and efficient technology .”
John adds that momentum is gathering for Durata ’ s design team , which was set up in September to provide consultancy to large construction companies and local architects .
“ They are pulling up trees in terms of the work they ’ re now doing with local , established electrical contractors and large construction companies ,” John says .
“ There are going to be some big announcements this year in terms of the work they are doing .
“ We are winning new clients across the UK and even abroad all the time , and have a new contract with Edinburgh Infirmary , as well as a project in Holland coming to an end in mid-March .
“ We are also looking at going out to Israel to survey lighting in office blocks , refurbishing and rationalising to create energy efficiency .”
For now , though , the only travelling John will be doing is 500 miles on his static bike , in aid of Butterwick Hospice !
He said : “ I set out to raise £ 3,000 and it ’ s up to £ 2,925 now , so that ’ s cool .
“ I ’ m grateful to all the businesses and individuals who ’ ve sponsored me and our corporate sponsors – a massive thank you to everyone .”
You can sponsor John by visiting justgiving . com / fundraising / john-mcgee-butterwicklegburner
The voice of business in the Tees region | 47