Our Energy Management Services network Wewise is growing

13 Aug 2024

More and more businesses are going over to solar power. As one of the fastest-growing renewable energy technologies, solar is playing a significant role in the global energy transition. Prices have come down in the past decade and the technology is well-established. Nevertheless, 86 per cent* of businesses say they’re daunted by the prospect of switching to it. So DCC established its Wewise network to help.

Wewise consists of energy management businesses across Europe – including solar installers – that DCC has been acquiring. Soltea in France, AEI in Ireland and Centreco in the UK are among the 19 companies acquired so far. Each can keep its company name, branding and website and has the backing of Wewise and DCC plc core teams who provide professional services, strategic business advice and capital to help them grow and develop.

These Wewise energy management businesses support commercial and industrial customers through the solar installation process and assist them with integrating solar and other electron-based solutions into their operations.

Wewise calls this Energy Management Services. It begins with analysing the customer’s power consumption and needs, and advising on solutions tailored to them. And it extends to system design, service and maintenance contracts, and support with energy optimisation once the system is up, running and fully functional.

A solutions-focused service

The end-to-end service model is a win-win relationship for customers and network members alike. Wewise members are product-agnostic, so they can focus on understanding what matters to their customers’ business and what they care about most, unlike an installation company pushing a certain product range.

Once they know the customer’s priorities, they give expert guidance and advice on an installation that will produce the best outcome for them. By working with the customer from early design they have insight into the system and develop a solutions-focused, rather than a sales, mindset. Maintenance and service contracts that result from being a trusted partner to the customer are valuable sources of recurring revenue.

For the customer, there’s the reassurance of knowing they’ll get the solar power generation they need and want, rather than feeling pressured into cramming as many PV panels as will fit on their roof. With the benefit of advice based on audits of their energy use now and projected use in the future, they can make the kind of financial investment that’s right for them. And there’ll be full transparency over how quickly they’ll get payback.

Wewise members have an extra source of revenue by being able to offer solar asset financing: we call it Solar as a Service. Customers’ savings on their electricity bills are often greater than the financing payments for the solar PV system. Additionally, if customers take out a maintenance contract through their Wewise installer – who knows the system inside out – they’re in a position to generate their own power for many years without disruption.

What are Wewise Energy Management Services?

Wewise members are leading green energy experts in their region. By working with a Wewise energy management business, customers gain peace of mind from knowing they’re reducing costs, reducing their emissions and optimising their operations with a trusted local partner.


Turning energy data into usable insights

Customers particularly appreciate support with software and app-based digital tools to help capture, monitor and visualise data from their solar power generation and energy usage. A building services manager of a shopping centre with solar panels on the roof, for example, who needs a smart energy management system to ensure each retail unit gets the power it needs, when it needs it, can demonstrate this to their own customers in real time on a screen.

The businesses that benefit most from energy management systems are those who can identify sources of flexibility within their power generation and usage, reduce their own peak energy demand and then sell energy back to the grid at the highest price.

These might be businesses that vary how they use their space or equipment. A factory, for example, with flexibility over when it runs production lines, or premises with sporadically high and low footfall.

Building a more profitable future

The Wewise network is continually growing, with the advantage of members keeping their autonomy so they remain anchored in their territories and are there where and when their customers need them.

They share product development and best practice with the rest of the network to the benefit of all members. Building a more profitable future for their business and for ours. Promoting cleaner energy for everyone.



*Based on a Wewise survey of 1,000 commercial and industrial businesses