Economically inactive founder uses government loan to found solar panel business
Ahead of COP 29 next week, London-based Two Blues Solar is one of the small businesses helping to drive progress in the UK’s journey to Net Zero.
Small businesses are crucial in the journey to achieving Net Zero goals, proving an opportunity to implement changes and innovation from the ground up. Two Blues Solar serves as inspiration for existing or aspiring business owners, of any age and at any stage of their sustainability journey.
Two Blues Solar was founded by Dan Levene (39) and Dillon Cane (32), to improve the green energy credentials of larger businesses. They do this by installing solar panels on buildings owned or rented by the businesses, which then purchase the green energy produced from Dan and Dillon’s company, rather than just the grid. This saves them significant costs at the same time as improving sustainability, without them having to invest any of their own capital.
Dan and Dillon quit their jobs in the property sector to begin working on this idea, which will enter its first supplier contract in the coming weeks.
Dan Levene, co-founder of Two Blues Solar, said: “When founding Two Blues Solar, we wanted to bring renewable power to companies who would otherwise just be connected to the grid. Our mission is to illuminate the path to sustainability. If you have an idea, you can make a difference too.
“The journey begins with securing adequate funding. Investment is what enables us to deploy cutting-edge technology, train skilled professionals, and deliver affordable, clean energy to our customers. Using our Start Up Loan, we hired someone to generate leads full-time so we could focus on securing the backing of an infrastructure fund. Without that original Start Up Loan financing, we wouldn’t have most of the contracts we do today”.
Richard Bearman, managing director, Small Business Lending at the British Business Bank said: “Two Blues Solar exemplifies our commitment to supporting sustainable businesses. Dan Levene and Dillon Cane have now established a thriving, eco-conscious business, demonstrating the transformative impact of the Start Up Loans programme.”
The British Business Bank’s 2021 Smaller businesses and the transition to net zero report found that smaller businesses account for around half of UK business greenhouse gas emissions.
Smaller businesses can find a wealth of independent and impartial information to support their transition to net zero via the British Business Bank’s Finance Hub.
Two Blues Solar were supported by Start Up Loans’ Business Support Partner, Virgin StartUp. As an official Business Support Partner for the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loan programme, Virgin StartUp operates within a network of business support partners, delivering Start Up Loans in the range of £500 to £25,000 across the UK.
