Pinsent Masons advises DCC on Solar as a Service offering

DCC is a global business, headquartered in Dublin, providing leading international sales, marketing and support services and operating across three core sectors: energy, healthcare and technology. In a recent strategic update, they announced a focus on the energy sector, and this venture is demonstrative of that strategy in action. The Solar as a Service offering supports their commitment to advancing sustainable energy practices across Europe and their strategic aim to reduce customer carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.

Solar as a Service delivers a renewable energy solution for businesses by enabling them to install rooftop and ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels on their premises without a requirement to make an upfront capital investment. Via entry into a power purchase agreement, the customer benefits from cleaner energy, but importantly, from cost certainty via a fixed monthly fee. The venture will initially focus on Ireland and France before being rolled-out to DCC’s wider UK and European network.

Pinsent Masons advised on the full suite of legal documentation to implement and operate the offering.  The team was led by Sarah Hope, who leads the firm’s Irish corporate energy practice, and Richard Murphy, head of the firm’s Ireland energy team. This forms part of the firm’s wider international support for DCC’s energy transition strategy.

Commenting on the matter, Sarah Hope said: “Increased pressure to meet sustainability targets, coupled with a need to manage volatility in energy prices, is driving businesses to seek alternative solutions to meet their energy demands. DCC Energy’s Solar as a Service offering provides energy cost certainty to businesses by enabling customers to pay a fixed monthly fee for the electricity generated from panels installed on their premises. Combined with the removal of upfront capex, the service facilitates energy transition for businesses whilst allowing them to meet other business demands."