Green Business Boost: Walton company, ET Works’ journey to net-zero

Elmbridge-based tech company ET Works, known for their specialist independent I.T. solutions, is leading the charge towards a greener future. Awarded Elmbridge Green Business Boost funding, the company has installed solar panels to improve their energy efficiency.

Championing sustainable businesses

ET Works applied for £5,000 of funding through the Elmbridge Green Business Boost, to support a larger project aimed at installing 18 new solar panels on their building roof, an inverter, and a storage battery at their head office in Walton-on-Thames. Since its installation in March 2024, ET Works has already significantly reduced their energy costs whilst reducing their carbon footprint.

Councillor Kirsty Hewens, Portfolio Holder for Enterprise, Parking and Local Economy recently visited ET Works to learn more about the project, the impact of our funding, and the company’s journey towards net zero. 

“ET Works has committed to the SME Climate Pledge, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 and the Elmbridge Green Grant has been instrumental in advancing their net-zero journey”.

ET Works is a great example of how companies can work toward net-zero while reducing costs and their carbon emissions. Prior to this project they had already implemented several sustainability initiatives, including an LED strategy, recycling points throughout their building, and a building insulation project. The company has also worked with their energy supplier to fully offset the emissions associated with their gas usage. They will be moving to a 100% renewable electricity contract in March 2025 to cover their remaining electricity requirements beyond the energy generated by the new solar panels. 

Impact of the Investment

The solar panel project has had a significant impact on ET Works’ sustainability goals:

• Renewable Energy Usage: The project has enabled ET Works to use solar power to cover 53% of their head office’s electricity usage to date. Using the storage battery to save as much of the excess electricity generated as possible, they use 95% of the solar power generated and sell the remaining 5% back to the grid. 
• Carbon Savings: Since the installation in March 2024, ET Works has saved 5,604 kgs of CO2. According to their solar technology supplier, this is the equivalent to planting 5,621 trees. 

ET Works Managing Director, Andrew Boyce, highlights the importance of the Elmbridge Green Business Boost in making the project feasible, noting that the £5,000 funding is crucial for SME’s. “The solar panels have not only reduced our energy costs but also support our company ethos and business values. We have pledged to be net-zero, a commitment enthusiastically supported by our staff.”

More information about the green business boost.