At Solar & Storage Live London 2025, Solar&StorageXtra sat down with Ben Dhaliwal, Director of Certified Renewables.
In this interview, Ben shares his thoughts on the challenges installers face with current funding schemes and regulations, and explains why AI will play a central role in the industry’s future.
He also discusses the potential benefits of streamlined government schemes and explains how Certified Renewables is working to help consumers and installers alike navigate an increasingly complex market.
What is Certified Renewables’ mission in the industry?
Ben: We’re just starting out as an installation company, focusing on renewable solutions like solar, heat pumps, underfloor heating, mechanical ventilation, and car charging. What sets us apart is our deep integration of AI into these products.
Over the next year, we’re releasing some innovative features that I can’t reveal just yet – sorry about that! But we’re excited about it.
One service we currently offer is called Certified Flipper, which automatically switches your energy bills. It’s perfect for those who are not familiar with energy price switching, and it’s available for a small fee – discounted if you’re a Certified Renewables client.
The energy market is always evolving, with different players like Octopus and Tomato offering varying rates, and we want to make sure it’s easy for customers to navigate.
What trends or challenges are on Certified Renewables’ radar?
Ben: First, the regulatory landscape is intense, especially for heat pumps. The paperwork is overwhelming for installers, which detracts from time spent on-site. You want to spend your time installing, not chasing paperwork.
We’re looking into automating some of this, and with MCF-affiliated team developments, we hope to ease some of that burden.
From a homeowner’s perspective, the biggest challenge is trust. With so many options in the market, it can be confusing to find an installer you can rely on.
Additionally, funding for these projects is fragmented, with multiple schemes like Eco4 and others. These often change or take time to pay out, which makes it tough for installers to keep a team intact and stay cash positive.
The complexity of installing heat pumps also plays a part. It’s not just about fitting a unit; the process is highly detailed, requiring extensive surveys to ensure efficiency.
The challenge for consumers is that they don’t understand the complexity – they expect the process to be as simple as replacing a gas boiler, but it’s far more involved.
I’ve been in this industry for 15 years, and we’re still talking about the same issues – energy bills, regulation, and getting people on board with renewable solutions. But we’re making progress.
The future looks bright, and the technology is only going to get better. It’s an exciting time to be in this space.
What policies or government interventions would benefit the industry?
Ben: Simplifying the funding schemes is critical. Whether it’s RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive), feed-in tariffs, or others, if we could streamline these into one scheme, it would make everything easier – for the customer, the installer, and the regulator.
Right now, there are too many pots of funding, and the paperwork involved is overwhelming.
A single, straightforward scheme would help the industry move forward. It would allow businesses to scale and offer stable, long-term employment while ensuring high-quality installations.
Additionally, the integration of AI could make the process smoother, improving everything from energy usage monitoring to system efficiency.
AI experts on our team are already looking into integrating this technology, which could make a huge difference in the industry.
What benefits are there to attending Solar & Storage Live in London?
Ben: While I’ve attended the Birmingham event before, this is my first time at the London event – and it’s been fantastic.
The best part is seeing the latest technologies, meeting suppliers, and networking with like-minded individuals.
As an installer, it’s valuable to stay up to date on emerging trends and innovations. Events like these are also a great way to learn from others and build connections that help you grow your business.
Attending these events is vital for staying ahead of the curve, and I’m excited to return next year with our team. There’s a lot more to do, and we’re only scratching the surface of what we can achieve in the renewable energy sector.
[Image credit: Certified Renewables]
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