Strategic partnership between Joulen and Project Better Energy to reduce bills and emissions, support grid resilience, and unlock nationwide clean energy at scale  

Joulen today announces its partnership with Project Better Energy (PBE), the UK’s largest residential solar installer. The £4.7m partnership will see the launch of an innovative new platform, set to save households over £1,100¹ per year on electricity. This is an average saving of up to 145 per cent on the average annual electricity bill – in some cases reducing bills to zero – with businesses saving up to 47 per cent and payback periods of as little as one year.

Joulen’s AI driven optimisation and energy market trading platform, will be accessible to Project Better Energy customers via a smartphone app and will be available from this month for customers with – or looking to install – a solar and battery system. With the power of AI, customers will be able to earn money through participation in energy market trading. Users will have access to unique analysis of their energy consumption, management and needs of the grid. Energy transparency and control will now be in the hands of end users which is a gamechanger for both homes and businesses.

The first customers are expected to join in the coming months, with the platform forecast to deliver a collective £120 million in savings to 40,000 households over the next five years. With the UK seeing a record number of installations of solar panels, batteries and heat pumps – 170,000 in the first six months of 2025 – this rate of adoption could mean over a million homes reap the benefits of the platform by 2030.

Making affordable clean energy the norm for households 

Joulen and PBE’s partnership will save the average UK household over £1,100, in many cases reducing residential bills to zero – by minimising customers’ reliance on the grid and protecting them from energy price fluctuations. Household payback periods will typically be reduced from seven years to four, making onsite clean energy one of the most affordable now more than ever.

Providing new revenue streams for UK businesses 

For businesses, the opportunities are even greater. Companies will be able to cut their energy bills by almost 50 per cent, for example, a reduction of over £53,000 per year for an average primary school or a manufacturing business – while shrinking payback periods to as little as one year.

In periods of high energy demand, such as early evening, businesses will be able to unlock new revenue streams, selling surplus clean energy back to the grid at peak prices. Additionally, by using renewable energy more effectively, organisations will see a carbon emissions reduction of up to 40 per cent, supporting corporate sustainability targets and the UK’s net zero transition.

Chris Doherty, Managing Director at Joulen, said:

“This partnership will introduce energy flexibility to a mass market, demonstrating how green technology in homes and on commercial sites, such as solar PV, batteries, and EVs, can significantly reduce bills, generate income, and support the grid’s transition to a clean electricity system. Together, we’ll empower homes and businesses to become beneficiaries and participants in the future electricity system, rather than bystanders.  

“Our collaboration with Project Better Energy represents a strategic alignment between two forward-thinking organisations. We’re excited to continue working with the team to help customers unlock savings and new revenue streams. By promoting an inclusive journey to net zero, we’ll accelerate the UK’s energy transition”. 

Simon Peat, CEO at Project Better Energy, said:

“Our partnership with Joulen empowers customers to take control of their energy use and outcomes. Their AI-driven approach aligns perfectly with our vision to provide smarter, more sustainable energy solutions at scale”.  

“With the cost of living at the front of everyone’s minds, we hope the launch of our platform will pave the way towards a just and equitable energy transition – empowering households and business in every corner of the UK to play a role in the future energy system”.  

Accelerating the energy transition 

Joulen’s platform enables households and small businesses to contribute to the grid immediately. By using AI-optimised energy trading, it will balance supply and demand in real-time, reducing the UK’s reliance on imported gas while cutting national carbon emissions.

By spreading energy generation and storage more widely across the country, the platform will both increase the grid’s resilience and stability and ensure that the benefits of clean energy are seen by households and businesses.

Cementing the UK’s leadership in a digital, clean energy future 

This market-leading partnership between two UK-based businesses builds on the UK’s long-standing leadership in battery storage and AI-powered innovation. With PBE’s leadership in residential clean energy systems, and Joulen’s unique, data-driven solution, the platform will unlock the benefits of the energy transition, helping achieve the UK’s national aim to become a clean energy superpower.

Following this initial launch, the platform is set to include management of all smart technologies. By integrating optimisation of EV charging, heat pumps, and smart devices into its easy-to-use, all-in-one app, the platform will make energy transparency and control the norm, empowering citizens and businesses to play an essential role in the country’s net zero journey.

1 Average household savings of £1,124 

• The calculation is based on an average UK household with an annual consumption of 2,700 kwh (OfGem). Cost of electricity per year for an average home prior to solar and battery on a market-leading day/night tariff – £771.56. Net cost of electricity per year with a fully optimised solar and battery solution on a market-leading day/night tariff – £(353) . Total average saving of £1,124 per year (c.£1,224 if full net benefit of market participation is passed through to customers). Note: Some households with higher usage could save more 

2 Businesses could save up 47% on their existing annual electricity bill

• Based on data modelling of a single-site manufacturing business with a current level of grid import of 727,000 kwh. Import cost/current cost of electricity is £ 167,112.85. Cost of electricity per year with a fully optimised solar and battery solution and market participation is £87,793.72. Total average saving of £79,319.13 equivalent to 47% . Average school saving: modelled on an average primary school with a 350KWp solar and a 215KWh / 100KW, expecting savings of up to £53,000 p.a. Modelled using a school’s tariff; day 23p, Night 18p Import and 5p Export rate. This modelling also assumes capacity market revenues on the battery as well, no other trading modelled.

3 SMEs could reduce carbon emissions from electricity consumption by up to 40%*

• Based on the carbon intensity of a portfolio of SMEs before any renewables were installed and then after the installation of a fully optimised solution of solar and storage solution.