case studies :: a cuppa with mo
A Cuppa With... Mo Kelly, Sustainable Technology Engineer and SASIE Managing Director
From electrical engineering to throwing the summer solstice's greatest bash, Mo Kelly recognized the value in green technology installation before the threat of global warming went mainstream. His cuppa: A can of Ben Shaw's Cream Soda
Born in Derby and raised in Nottingham, Mo identified the importance of vocational skills at a very early age. Despite the challenge of dyslexia, he trained to become an engineer, eventually earning an Electrical Engineering degree. Mo then went on to work on projects including Terminal 4's automated conveyor systems. "Ours worked," joked Mo. From there he was sub-contracted by Seimens to work on their parcel handling systems.
Six years ago, Mo's architect friend designed a solar house with renewable technology and asked him to help with the technology and installation. "It was good and it felt right," said Mo about the project. One year and 50 installations later, Mo was sole trader of renewable technology installation company, EMK Services.
His current company, SASIE Ltd. (Solar and Sustainable Installation Engineers), was started up just over a year ago and is registered with Clear Skies. Mo has a hard-working team of sustainable installation engineers and architects that are fully qualified under the Code for Sustainability. They also offer full solutions. "Everything we specify we can design and install", said Mo. This includes underfloor heating, rainwater harvesting, solar thermal, ground/air source heat pumps, photovoltaic, micro wind turbines and more.
"I oversee quality and make sure things are in the right application," said Mo. "When people aren't happy with an installation it's because of a bad application, not the energy sources. The sun is brilliant…it never lets us down."
One of Mo's current projects is The Upton Village Development, Northampton. He was brought on board to commission windturbines and solar PV panels on a group of new build residential properties that will produce power and connect to the grid. There is also an evacuated tube installation on the development, which will heat water through solar thermal heating.
"50-75% of hot water in the UK could be heated with just solar thermals," said Mo. "Investment is high on sustainable technology, but on a new build it is worth it."
Along with running his own successful business, Mo is a Director of the Solar Trade Association. He is currently in the midst of writing technical competencies for tradespeople so that they will have the skill-set to install sustainable technology properly. The Solar Trade Association supplies information to training providers, which in turn will suitably educate tradespeople.
Mo's dedication towards going green extends beyond work and into his home. He lives on a little farm in Nottingham and is in the midst of building a completely green house. He is even using hemp blocks in the construction, which are high in thermal value. On this farm, Mo has a "big ol' Clydesdale" horse and some sheep. Along with being a fabulous cook, Mo is an ambitious host, organizing annual 3-day summer solstice festivals celebrating the unsurpassed power of the sun - but this time trading the PV panels for friends and music.