Solarfix, Northern Ireland's premier solar panel design and installation company, has announced the appointment of Robin McCormick, a highly experienced figure in the energy sector, as its new non-executive chairman.

Mr McCormick previously held the position of chair and managing director at SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland), the body responsible for managing and developing Northern Ireland's high voltage electricity transmission network. A chartered director and electrical engineer, he has also held senior roles at NIE and EirGrid, operating across the all-island energy market. He currently works as an independent strategic advisor, primarily within the renewable energy sector.

The appointment comes at a time of significant growth for Solarfix, which recently secured a substantial investment package from Whiterock's Growth Capital Fund. This investment is intended to facilitate the company's expansion and accelerate its goal of reducing energy bills for both domestic and commercial clients throughout the UK and Ireland.

Michael O'Donnell, Managing Director of Solarfix, commented: "It is a real coup and confirmation of the level Solarfix is operating at to be able to bring Robin in as our new Chairman. He brings a wealth of experience of the energy sector in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and will provide invaluable guidance as we expand the business into new markets.

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"Part of our strategy as we win larger deals across the UK and Ireland is to enhance our overall governance framework and having someone of Robin's calibre in the business to advise us on this will undoubtedly accelerate our growth trajectory. Solarfix trades on the quality of our products and customer service, helping commercial businesses with often complex electricity needs. Robin understands the impact solar and other renewable technologies have on the grid and will not only be able to help businesses unpick their problems but also to help policymakers see solutions at grid level."

Robin McCormick, Chair of SolarFix, said: "I was a Solarfix customer before this opportunity came around and had seen first-hand that the company was a high quality, premium solar installer. When approached about the role I saw a genuine opportunity to do something special and I'm excited about the strategy we've agreed for the future. I have a lot of experience of the energy sector and the understand the challenges commercial businesses face from the energy transition, but also the huge benefits available to companies with an appetite to take advantage of the opportunity it affords. I have also been involved in businesses that are growing in a time of change and look forward to sharing those lessons in a non-exec role."

To date, Solarfix has installed over 2,000 systems across Northern Ireland, generating more than 16 million units of low-cost electricity annually and saving over 4,000 tonnes of carbon per year. The company has installed nearly 20mw of solar panels on a variety of sites, ranging from small domestic installations to large-scale commercial projects, including notable installations such as at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

With over 20 years of experience in the solar industry, the Solarfix team offers a range of sustainable energy solutions for domestic, commercial, and agricultural clients. Their offerings include Duracell Energy batteries for power storage, Solaredge Optimised solutions for challenging building conditions, and MyEnergi EV chargers and Eddi for utilising solar power for electric vehicles and water heating. A typical Solarfix system is reported to produce electricity that is both cleaner and cheaper than grid-supplied electricity, with a payback period of under five years and panel guarantees of 25 years, providing a hedge against fluctuating energy prices.