UPOWA, a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions for the housebuilding and construction sectors, partnering with the University of Salford through the HIVEE (Housebuilding Innovations in Volume, Environment and Efficiency) research cluster have recently won a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to create data-driven frameworks to sustainability scale photovoltaic (PV) installations in order to meet future home standards.
With the UK government confirming that solar panels will become mandatory on all new-build homes under the Future Homes Standard (FHS) from 2027, the sector is entering a period of rapid expansion. As the PV market grows and attracts new entrants,there is concern that some companies may prioritise rapid volume over quality. This risks corner-cutting, potential safety issues, and reputational damage for the sector.
Through this KTP project, and supported by UPOWA’s end-to-end integration, design capabilities, and commitment to quality, the company is well positioned to be the trusted provider in a market that increasingly demands reliability and compliance. The KTP will enable UPOWA to lead the way in delivering high-quality, scalable solar VC solutions, spanning product development, design, installation, maintenance, technical support, and aftercare setting a new benchmark for excellence across the sector.
At the forefront of this vision is Managing Director Paul Terry, who brings more than 24 years of experience delivering high-performance products and solutions across the housebuilding industry. Paul’s sector expertise has been instrumental in shaping a vision that directly aligns with a critical customer and industry need, drawing on his proven track record and deep understanding of the challenges faced by housebuilders.
Paul Terry said: “Our KTP partnership with the University of Salford is critical to our mission. It will enable us to build robust systems, access high-level academic and industry expertise, and benefit from a wider knowledge that will only affect us positively. We are committed to delivering the highest-quality service in the renewable energy industry, providing solar/PV solutions that are efficient, compliant, and best in class. This partnership will strengthen our operations, enhance our capabilities, and allow us to offer an even greater level of service to our diverse and growing client base.”
Supporting this initiative is Mike Shields, UPOWA’s Design and Estimating Director, whose 27 years of expertise have played a vital role in shaping the company’s success. Mike’s understanding of product performance, and design ensures seamless collaboration across the project and strengthens the quality and robustness of the solutions and provides emerging talent with a strong foundation of industry-leading knowledge.
Michael Shields TMIET said: “UPOWA’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Salford strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality, scalable renewable solutions for the UK new-build sector. By combining academic expertise with our real-world installation and supply chain experience, the partnership will enhance our operational efficiency, forecasting capability and best-practice processes. This collaboration ensures we continue to provide housebuilders with a more reliable, data-driven and future-ready solar PV offering.”
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