Solar system finds off-grid earth in business park’s Wizer move

The company, currently doing about 20 installations of domestic solar set-ups each week, as well as being in the commercial fitting sector, currently employs over 50, with 22 vans on the road, and has been doubling staff every year in the past few years as the renewable energy sector sky-rockets nationwide, and globally.

At Ballytrasna Business Park the company has take over space vacated by Fastways Couriers at Units 16-18, who have relocated to the upgraded Nova Business Park to a larger premises, taking c 40,000 sq ft and joing the likes of EZ Living, Food Cloud – and, by coincidence another renewable energy company, Fáilte Solar.

Back at Ballytrasna, a further 15,000 sq ft is now up to let following Fastways’ departure via agent Declan Hickey of Casey & Kingston (see details below).

The building’s roof above Wizer’s end now shows the delivery potential to whoever fetches up next door, or in other neighbouring units, or in already in similar buildings of scale.

Here, the specialist company has installed 30kWp of solar PV and battery power “providing our power requirements, on our own building, giving us the opportunity to walk the walk, not just talk the talk,” says Wizer MD Martin Desmond, who pivoted from an early career as an electrician to study electrical engineering and upskilled after an industrial accident in 2007.

At the firm’s new Little Island HQ at Ballytrasna, it now has a PV solar system up top, with what it says is a cutting edge electrical infrared heating system “which effectively means that we are as close to being off grid as is possible in business. I know it's a model for business that can be shared by many, to escape the ever growing costs of the more traditional carbon based heat and power provision options,” adds Mr Desmond who says "commercial systems can now avail of SEAI grants which bring the payback time under three years ... with decades of profit following after."

“I got familiar with the lack of solar and supports for solar that existed in Ireland back in 2015. I figured there was about to boom in the industry here, so I put all the measures needed in place to ensure I was in early to this market and here for the long haul,” says Mr Desmond, noting “the market has grown and matured since then, with government subsidies bringing the fizz to the area, which is evident in the amount of new companies in this space.”

As well as solar PV, Wizer also supplies and fits infrared heating panels in both domestic and commercial properties, in saunas and health centres, outside bars, and other settings, as well as EV charge points and says at this stage it has installed systems in every Irish county, and says flexible , dexterous solutions tailored to clienets are necessary as “not everyone in Ireland lives in a house built in the last five years.” 

Meanwhile, as that company cosies into its new space, effectively off-grid and having done the work in conjunction with the landlord, Casey & Kingston agent Declan Hickey is seeking a new occupier for balance of 15,270 sq ft at Nos 19-24.

He guides at current market levels of c €9 per square foot, and says there is designated external space of c 5,000 sq ft  with an expansion option “but this will reduce the external storage area.” Rates will add c Rates will add c €1 psf to the costs, with insurance calculate at €0.20 sf and service charges of €1.35 psf will apply.

DETAILS Casey & Kingston 021-4271127