What really makes a good solar O&M provider? In the first of his new series, Stuart Spiers explores why technical talent, accountability and speed of execution matter more than simply being the biggest.

After ten years in solar, Darren Lewis reflects on how operations and maintenance has evolved, why traditional approaches need to change and the importance of smarter, risk-based asset management.

Change is inevitable when you’re growing a business, but standing still can be an even bigger risk. Darren Lewis reflects on recent developments at Solar Group, lessons learned along the way and why surrounding yourself with good people makes all the difference.

Solar & Storage Live felt different for Solar Group this year. Darren Lewis reflects on a busier show, stronger industry relationships, bigger conversations and why he’s excited about what comes next for UK solar and storage.

What if communities didn’t just host renewable energy projects, but owned a stake in them too? SGU explores community energy, shared ownership and whether a different model could change the relationship between renewable infrastructure and the people living alongside it.

From November 2026, major infrastructure projects in England will face mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirements. We look at what the new rules mean for large-scale solar and why the future of the industry should be about more than megawatts.

Extreme weather is prompting more conversations about climate resilience. Stuart Spiers shares why maintaining renewable energy assets is just as important as building new ones.

As solar adoption accelerates across the UK, choosing the right installation and operations & maintenance partner has never been more important. Here’s why quality should always outweigh the lowest price.

No two solar farms are exactly alike. Darren Lewis explores why understanding the unique story behind every asset is key to achieving long-term performance and protecting renewable energy investments.

Many people believe solar farms are “fit and forget” assets. In reality, consistent operations and maintenance plays a vital role in protecting performance, reducing downtime and extending equipment life. Senior Electrical Engineer Andres Velez explains why proactive O&M makes all the difference.

A few years ago, we built an exhibition stand around a bee. It wasn’t a gimmick. It reflected something we still believe today: utility-scale solar farms can deliver far more than clean energy.

The best performing solar farms rarely attract attention. This blog explores why preventative maintenance, proactive monitoring and consistent asset care are the real foundations of long-term solar performance.

What do clients really want from an O&M partner? Strong performance matters, but trust, transparency and communication often matter just as much.

Most expensive solar problems do not happen overnight. Stuart shares why small faults, left unchecked, can quietly become expensive habits and what experienced engineers spot early.

Most solar site failures do not happen suddenly. In this article, Senior Electrical Engineer Andres Velez shares the subtle warning signs engineers look for before small issues turn into costly failures.

Solar Group Utilities has been shortlisted in the Managing New Energy Demand category at the British Renewable Energy Awards 2026, while Jo Baber has been recognised as a Rising Star finalist.

Experience changes how operational assets are understood. Over time, familiarity with site behaviour helps identify patterns, question small variations, and make better operational decisions before issues become obvious.

Government support is accelerating large-scale solar in the UK, but approvals and capacity alone don’t guarantee performance. As more assets come online, the focus shifts to how they are managed, maintained, and integrated into an increasingly complex energy system.

Warm weather may look ideal for solar generation, but higher temperatures can reduce panel efficiency and place additional strain on electrical components. This piece looks at what really happens during hotter conditions, and why understanding site behaviour matters just as much as sunlight.

When people talk about solar performance, the conversation usually centres around numbers; monthly output, targets, whether a site is over or under where it should be. And that’s all useful, it gives you a snapshot of how things are going at a given moment. But over time, what tends to matter more isn’t whether you’ve had a particularly strong month, it’s whether the site behaves consistently.