System Overview
This installation combines a 10.56 kWp solar PV array with 27 kWh of battery storage (Tesla Powerwall 3 with an expansion pack and Tesla Backup Gateway 2).
-Peter Dennis, Managing Director, Philip Dennis Foodservice
-Sam, Berkshire Homeowner
-Giles Owen, Operations Director, Hansgrohe UK
Spirit Energy is one of the most experienced solar and battery installers in the South of England, specialising in the bespoke design and installation of solar and battery storage systems. Founded in 2010, we have installed over 6,000 solar and battery systems, helping homeowners and businesses save millions on electricity bills, become energy independent, and cut their carbon footprints.
![]()









![]()
![]()
![]()





![]()
![]()



![]()
![]()
![]()


![]()
In 2016, Spirit Energy developed the first free online solar calculator, enabling homeowners and business owners to design their own solar and battery storage systems without needing to contact an installer.
The tool is highly flexible. You can design a system with both solar and battery storage, or just one technology, and see how it would perform alongside heat pumps and electric vehicles. It also allows you to compare potential savings across a range of electricity tariffs.
While our solar and battery calculator is a great starting point, nothing matches the accuracy and value of a bespoke quotation from Spirit Energy’s highly trained specialists. Every part of your project is handled in-house — from design and engineering through to installation and aftercare — ensuring the highest standards at every stage. Get in touch with us for a free, no obligation quote.
Spirit was founded by Erica Charles, a mathematician who returned to Oxford in her 30’s to complete a Masters on the maximisation of photon capture by solar panels. Anyway, the maths taught her that a well-designed and well-installed solar system will generate a considerably superior return on investment compared to one where insufficient attention has been applied to the design details.
That ethos continues today with Spirit’s commitment to recruiting the finest engineers and installers and providing them with the best in-house technical training that the industry can offer… regardless of the cost…
-Ian Charles, Financial Director






Ian Charles Financial Director
Vishal joined Spirit Energy a few months after Erica and Ian founded the business in 2010 as a project manager, and is now our Operations Director. All of our project managers and installers are in-house, and Vishal oversees them all and is in charge of making sure that every project goes smoothly and is installed on time. Vish has a wealth of experience with both commercial and residential projects, and directly manages every commercial project that we do, including our installations at Philip Dennis Foodservice in April 2024, and Hansgrohe's headquarters in September 2024.
Justin is the backbone of the company and part of the leadership team. He has overall responsibility for the installers, electrical design and sign off of all systems as well doing a technical and structural survey for every project to ensure we can manage each job perfectly. His devotion and meticulous attention to detail has helped build Spirit into the reputable and trustworthy brand we are today.
You will most likely meet Justin on your technical & structural survey where he will plan your entire installation and run you through every minute detail.
"My ultimate goal is to ensure our operations run smoothly, delivering exceptional customer service and top-quality installations to every customer, domestic or commercial."
-Vishal Giga, Operations Director
"I know that the technical & structural survey is a step that other installers don't feel is necessary, but many of Spirit's customers appreciate the chance to talk to the actual installers before the installation date."
-Justin Parsons, Head of Installations






This installation combines a 10.56 kWp solar PV array with 27 kWh of battery storage (Tesla Powerwall 3 with an expansion pack and Tesla Backup Gateway 2).
TL;DR
If you are planning solar panels or a battery, the DNO application is not just admin, it is one of the most important parts of the project because it determines what size system you are allowed to install, how much you can export, whether you might face connection costs, and how your payback stacks up. This guide explains what a DNO application is in the UK, what your Distribution Network Operator looks at, and why local grid capacity can feel first come first served, so you can avoid expensive design mistakes later.

Copyright © Spirit Energy 2026 · info@spiritenergy.co.uk · 0118 951 4490
Jobs and Careers
Interested in joining the Spirit team? Email jobs@spiritenergy.co.uk
Spirit House, 25 Albury Close, Reading, RG30 1BD
(Location formerly known as 44 Portman Road, Reading, RG30 1EA)
Spirit Energy is the trading name of Spirit Solar Ltd · UK Company Number 07138647
Although care is taken to ensure that the information on our website (www.spiritenergy.co.uk) and any guides, calculators or checklists provided by us, electronically or otherwise, are accurate and up-to-date, we cannot accept any responsibility for mistakes or omissions. We enter into no express or implied conditions, warranties, terms or representations regarding the quality, accuracy or completeness of the information. We exclude to the extent lawfully permitted all liability for loss or damage, whether direct, indirect or consequential arising out of your use of our website or any guides, calculators or checklists provided by us, or from any information or omission contained in our website or any guides, calculators or checklists provided by us.