Luke Hutchison – Director / Bristol Branch Manager

Luke has been with Southern Solar since 2002. He has a Masters Degree in Environmental Engineering as well as having trained as a plumber and heating engineer. He is a director of Southern Solar, helping to develop the company, as well as being the Bristol branch manager. His main areas of interest are developing our teams and technical design of solar hot water systems. He says, “My work allows me to be involved with people and technology that match my life’s goals. Every day brings fresh challenges and opportunities. I relish striving for quality in our company and I can honestly say I never get bored!” Howard and Luke have known each other since their late teens having met at university through the student green group. He lives in Bristol with his wife and daughter. When not working he enjoys walking and Iyengar yoga.

Tom Heel – Project Manager

Tom joined Southern Solar to project manage PV installations in mid 2009. “I have previously enjoyed working with Southern Solar as a project manager for a developer, constructing high environmental specification houses with PV and Solar Hot Water installations. I have experience with the challenges of constructing to high levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes (the governments rating system for the sustainability of new build housing) and have an electrical background, so this role with Southern Solar is the perfect fit for me. I enjoy being part of a dedicated team for an organization working towards the creation of better, more environmentally sensitive buildings.”

Ollie Mouland – Installation Support Administrator

Ollie joined Southern Solar to work as the office administrator, provide CAD support and deal with new domestic enquires for the Bristol office. "Coming from an engineering and design background, I have always been interested in low energy buildings and renewable energy. I have been involved with various construction projects including straw bale, rammed earth, cob and earthships. I wanted to work for a company with a good ethos, and a product that I believe in. I enjoy the fact that this job has room to evolve and I can get practical experience with solar installs. This gives me firsthand knowledge when dealing with new domestic enquires, which is invaluable. When I’m not at work I’m tending my allotment, or trying to rustle up some culinary wizardry in the kitchen."

Jonathon Starks – Domestic Sales Manager

Jon supports Luke in managing the work of the Bristol branch.  He is involved with selling and installation of the full range of systems that we offer.  He says about himself: “I did 5 yr apprenticeship in Plumbing and heating after leaving school and then went back to college to do HND in Building. After a short career in the Police force, I worked for Hilti for 13 yrs in various roles, technical sales, field engineer etc. After that I worked for OSO Hot water cylinders in a sales role, also doing service calls. I found I enjoyed doing the service calls far more than the selling so I set myself up as a service engineer

As I have got older I have found myself getting more and more environmentally aware and conscientious and wanted to do something in which I could share my knowledge and learn from like minded people.”

Phil Nelms - Sales Support Coordinator

Phil is the happy chap on the end of the phone at the Bristol office. He likes working at Southern Solar because he likes being green and also all the nice people he works with.
Phil became interested in renewable energy after working at Bristol’s hub of sustainability – the Create Centre; before going on to write for ecojam.org – a local green news site – and then (literally) jumping at the opportunity to work in the sector.
He also likes guitars, books and Leeds Utd.

Helen Lacey – Commercial Sales Manager

 Helen joined Southern Solar in 2008 and manages public sector and commercial sales in the Bristol office. She works closely with organisations to develop their projects through to installation and deals with all aspects of project development from supporting funding applications and planning applications, to arranging structural surveys and meeting clients. She previously worked as a Community Energy Advisor for the Centre for Sustainable Energy.

She says: 'I enjoy working closely with organisations and helping clients through the various stages to successfully install solar energy. I have always had an interest in the environment and enjoy being part of a small motivated team working towards a more sustainable way of living.' 

Aaron Rodway – Installation Team Member

I have been with Southern Solar for almost two years starting as an installation team member working out of the Bristol office.  A lot of my time has been spent fitting panels and installing equipment and pipe work in loft spaces, airing cupboards and plant rooms.  I am currently responsible for coordinating work on our commercial sites to deliver multiple systems on social housing developments. When I am not out with the installation teams I am responsible for stock control and ensuring the branch always has everything we need to get the job done.

Working for Southern Solar gives me a sense of satisfaction as the work we do makes a positive contribution to society and the environment.  Having a sense of purpose is important to me as it keeps me motivated.  I enjoy working with like-minded people to bring solar energy into our customers’ homes and satisfy the needs of our commercial clients.

Outside of work I am an active person, I enjoy cycling, surfing, playing pool and flying traction kites.  My friends and family are important to me and I enjoy socialising, cooking and going to gigs, club nights and music festivals.

Tom Bellamy - Installation Team Member

I am trainee solar installer and a qualified roofer. My day starts in the yard where the equipment required for the days jobs is selected and loaded into the van. Depending on which type of roof determines which fittings and fixtures we use.

Once on site my job is to assist the team leaders with the installation of the solar panels. I am able to carry out a lot of the pipe work on my own already but require more experience before I am comfortable working on the cylinders. I am not yet doing any electrical work but it is something that I am keen to learn.  The most important task of any day is to watch, listen and learn. The prospects of working in a growth industry such as this are exciting.

Matt Ballam - Installation Team Member

Matt joined Southern Solar in February '09 following a traineeship with a Bristol based plumbing and heating company. As a qualified and experienced plumber, he's usually found to be swapping hot water cylinders, installing solar thermal panels, running pipe work and tinkering with systems. As well as this, Matt assists with the installation of PV systems. Matt spends much of his spare time with his lovely wife Lisa and socialising with friends.

 'Southern Solar are an exciting organisation to work for, this is due to their ambitious expansion plans, their strong team ethic and their technical know how.'

 'Where better to be working than in the renewable's industry as a plumber right now. There's so much opportunity. Limiting the use of non-renewable fuel sources is the only way - solar makes complete sense.'