Naked Energy has launched a dedicated system design service aimed at helping commercial and industrial organisations integrate solar thermal technology more effectively into their wider energy systems, as pressure grows to decarbonise heat as well as power.

The London-based company says the new service is the first of its kind offered directly by a UK solar thermal original equipment manufacturer. It is designed to address a common challenge facing businesses investing in renewable heat: systems that combine multiple technologies but fail to operate efficiently together.

Solar thermal differs from conventional solar photovoltaic panels by producing heat rather than electricity, a distinction that has become increasingly important as heat accounts for the largest share of energy demand across much of UK industry.

Naked Energy’s Virtu range includes VirtuHOT collectors, which can deliver heat at temperatures of up to 120°C, and VirtuPVT collectors, which generate both electricity and heat at lower temperatures. The company says its technology can achieve significantly higher energy density than standard PV panels.

Until now, many organisations deploying solar thermal systems have relied on third-party consultants to design how different technologies interact. Naked Energy’s new service brings that capability in-house, offering customers modelling, performance forecasting and system planning tailored to their specific heat demands.

To lead the new operation, Naked Energy has appointed Sam Notter as principal design engineer. Notter previously worked on district heating and decarbonisation projects at companies including Vital Energi, Veolia and Engie, and brings experience in integrating renewable heat technologies across industrial, healthcare and commercial settings.

The company says poor system design has been a persistent issue across the sector, particularly as buildings increasingly combine solar, heat pumps, storage and other technologies. Its design team uses established industry software such as Polysun and EnergyPro, alongside an internally developed modelling tool that simulates how different components interact under real operating conditions.

Naked Energy’s core customers are commercial and industrial organisations with consistent year-round heat demand, such as manufacturers, hospitals and large public buildings. For these users, underperforming systems can undermine both carbon reduction targets and financial returns.

Christophe Williams, chief executive of Naked Energy, said that while awareness of renewable heating has grown, many installations still fail to deliver expected performance because technologies are not designed to work together. He said the new service is intended to give businesses greater confidence in their transition away from fossil fuels.

Notter said decarbonising heat required careful system-level thinking rather than quick fixes, particularly in complex energy environments. He added that integrating technologies effectively would be critical to improving efficiency and accelerating adoption.

As the UK sharpens its focus on heat decarbonisation, Naked Energy’s move reflects a broader shift in the renewables sector toward offering end-to-end solutions, rather than standalone technologies, as businesses seek clearer pathways to reduce emissions without compromising reliability.