Newcastle solar firm CHE lands funding to scale manufacturing
What's the deal? Newcastle-based CrowdHouse Energy (CHE), a commercial solar specialist, has secured debt financing from NPIF II — NEL Debt Finance to expand its manufacturing and operational capabilities. The investment, part of the £660M Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), will help CHE grow its workforce, strengthen operations, and increase production capacity at its Scotswood Road facility.
CHE makes commercial solar solutions, including rooftop photovoltaic systems and its Helios Volt PV Parking Canopy product range. The funding has already enabled new equipment installations — an Olympus CNC machine and an Elumatec DG79 double mitre saw — bringing more fabrication in-house.
"NEL's investment has been pivotal for CrowdHouse Energy," said chief executive Richard Blackwell. "Beyond funding, NEL has strengthened our confidence to invest in key areas, improve operations, and continue delivering high-quality projects."
Why now? The UK government's push toward net-zero targets and its Industrial Strategy have created strong tailwinds for renewable energy firms. NPIF II, operated by British Business Bank, provides loans from £25,000 to £2M and equity investment up to £5M specifically to help small and medium-sized businesses in the North of England grow.
Sarah Newbould, senior investment manager at British Business Bank, said the fund is "proud to support businesses like CrowdHouse Energy that are aligned with the Government's Industrial Strategy, creating highly-skilled jobs, driving regional economic growth and playing a vital role in the UK's transition to a net-zero economy."
What could go wrong? Commercial solar remains a competitive market, and scaling manufacturing carries execution risk — particularly around supply chains and maintaining quality at higher volumes. CHE will also need to convert expanded capacity into sustained demand for its products.
The signal: Public investment funds are increasingly backing regional cleantech manufacturers rather than just software or services firms. CHE's funding reflects a broader trend: government-backed capital flowing into the physical infrastructure of the energy transition, with a deliberate focus on creating skilled manufacturing jobs outside London and the South East.
Read more: bdaily.co.uk
