SolarSense Appoints Russell Mees as Managing Director and Commits to 20% Annual Growth Through 2030

SolarSense Strengthens UK Position with 20% Annual Growth Target

SolarSense has entered 2026 with significant momentum, announcing the appointment of Russell Mees as Managing Director, expanding its presence in Wales, and committing to 20 per cent year-on-year growth through to 2030.

Russell Mees joins the Board at a pivotal time for the employee-owned business, which continues to strengthen its position as one of the UK’s leading commercial solar and energy storage specialists. The announcement follows the company’s transition to an Employee-Owned Trust and recognition of Founder and Chairman Stephen Barrett with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Solar & Storage Live.

SolarSense designs, installs and maintains commercial solar PV systems, battery storage and solar carports for clients in all sectors across the UK. The company supports organisations at every stage of their net zero journey, now including fully funded solutions with no upfront capital cost.

With solar electricity typically generated at around 4p to 6p per kWh compared to grid electricity at approximately 25p to 30p per kWh, SolarSense continues to help businesses reduce energy costs, strengthen energy security and accelerate ESG performance.

Recent projects span manufacturing, commercial property, education, data centres, airports and major events, with clients including Renishaw, Euro Foods Group, Bristol Beacon, Western Provident Association, Glastonbury Festival, The Duchy of Cornwall, Bristol Airport, Avon Fire & Rescue Service, London Stadium and The Crown Estate at Windsor Castle. The company also works in partnership with organisations including Auditel, NG Bailey and other key partners to deliver integrated energy solutions at scale.

“I am thrilled to take on the role of MD,” says Russell Mees. “The best thing about this company is its team. I’ve been part of it for over 10 years and seen it grow with an expanding workforce sharing the same values and ambition to work in renewables, and excitement about growing this strong, sustainable company and livelihood for us all while being a force for good. The EOT status has consolidated that and focused us all on the next phase of growth.”

Stephen Barrett, who founded the company over 30 years ago and picked up a Lifetime Achievement Award at Solar and Storage Live before Christmas, has long been committed to growing the company as an independent force in the sector, and Mees confirmed that they never want to sell out to a big corporation. Their focus, he says, is on growing the company (and the workforce in line) by 20 per cent each year, and doing that by not only providing quality advice, products, installation and support, but by being part of a movement that helps people understand what solar can do to reduce costs, provide energy security and support their organisation’s ESG strategy.

“A lot has changed since I started out 30 years ago but look where we are – with renewables taking over coal to become the world’s largest source of electricity for the first time in history in 2025,” says Barrett. “We are seeing structural transformation in the global energy system, costs falling, policy frameworks tightening up, and energy security at the top of national and corporate agendas.”

Under Barrett’s leadership Solarsense has picked up over 20 industry awards for excellence and innovation and donated time, expertise and equipment to dozens of charities in the UK, international development initiatives and conservation programmes across the globe (most recently in Ukraine). This work will continue, as will its long-term partnership with Rainforest Concern supporting frontline conservation projects.

“We are incredibly proud of what this company does and what it is achieving, with nature and community as its key priorities,” says Barrett. “And I am really excited about the ongoing impact Solarsense will have with Russell at the helm.”

 “I am very aware I am looking after Stephen’s legacy as the new MD, making sure this values-led business continues to lead and make an impact on the production of clean energy,” says Mees. “I feel really privileged that he’s trusted me to do that.

“We really pride ourselves on meeting with organisations at the start of their solar journey, hearing and then working to support their challenges and ambitions, and ensuring their solar system maximises their energy savings and security,” adds Mees. “Those conversations include looking at the shortened ROI, the role of batteries, the maintenance care we offer, faster routes to grid connection, and championing the role of solar farms and solar carports to facilitate clean energy production for companies with acres of car parking. There is a lot happening in 2026 and the whole team is excited to be on this growth journey.”