At Solar & Storage Live in London, Solar&StorageXtra sat down with Francesca Shirley, Sustainable Business Development Manager at VEST Energy.
Francesca shared how the company is helping businesses unlock the full value of battery storage through smart optimisation and trading.
She highlights VEST’s Green Battery innovation, the importance of intelligent software, and why combining solar with storage is key to accelerating the UK’s net zero goals.
Can you give a brief introduction to VEST Energy and its core mission?
Francesca: At VEST, our mission is simple: to accelerate the energy transition by unlocking the full value of battery storage.
We specialise in smart trading and optimisation for batteries, helping businesses maximise performance, revenue, and carbon savings.
Our latest innovation, Green Battery, combines cutting-edge battery intelligence with measurable carbon savings – offered with no upfront costs. It makes it easier than ever for businesses to decarbonise while boosting returns.
Are there any recent projects that highlight the company’s impact in the solar sector?
Francesca: One standout project involved a UK-based manufacturer looking to decarbonise and reduce operational costs.
They already had solar installed, which was great – so we added battery storage and optimised it.
The results were immediate: we reduced peak energy charges, improved site resilience, and enhanced ESG reporting. It’s a great example of how solar and storage together can deliver real, measurable impact.
What technological advancements are needed to make off-grid battery storage more efficient?
Francesca: Efficiency comes from intelligence.
While hardware continues to improve, the real leap forward lies in smart software – things like predictive analytics, AI-driven optimisation, and real-time market response. Green Battery is designed to meet this need.
It continuously analyses site data, weather patterns, and energy markets to ensure batteries charge and discharge at the most optimal times.
This means greater performance, reduced carbon emissions, and lower costs.
How can investing in battery storage improve the effectiveness of the UK’s solar rollout?
Francesca: Solar alone can’t meet our energy needs 24/7 – it’s intermittent, as we all know. But when paired with battery storage, solar becomes much more powerful.
Storage smooths out solar’s variability, ensuring power is available even when the sun isn’t shining.
With Green Battery, you don’t just store excess energy—you optimise it, monetise it, and track its carbon impact in real time.
That’s how we turn solar from a daytime solution into a round-the-clock asset and accelerate the UK’s journey to net zero.
Why is it important for VEST Energy to attend Solar & Storage Live in London?
Francesca: We love this event! It’s the heartbeat of the UK’s clean energy movement. It’s a chance to showcase what’s possible with innovations like Green Battery, and to meet the solar installers, tech developers, and energy users driving real change.
We’re here to collaborate, learn, and lead the conversation on how battery intelligence can transform the way we generate, store, and use clean power.
Missed out on Solar & Storage Live London, or want to come back for more? find a Solar & Storage Live event near you.
