TMT First Ltd: Controlling Our Energy Usage
At a Glance:
Company: TMT First Ltd
Location: Newcastle-under-Lyme
Activity: Uplift, repair and refurbishment of mobile devices
Support: Free Energy Assessment, Low Carbon Grant, and Green Loan Scheme
Recommendation: Installation of 220 kWh Solar PV Array and Batteries
Staffordshire Supplier: Solar Star Power Ltd
Project Cost: £219,845
Grant: £100,000
Loan: £100,000
Savings – £ / yr: 36,130
Savings – kWh / yr: 164,440
Savings – CO2 tonnes / yr: 37.06
Payback Period (without Grant) / yr: 6.1
Introduction
TMT First Ltd, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, operates at the heart of the circular economy by extending the life of mobile technology. The company specialises in uplifting, repairing, and refurbishing devices such as mobiles, tablets, laptops and games consoles, helping to extend product lifespan and reduce electronic waste. They have recently been successful in securing £100,000 of grant funding and a £100,000 match in interest-free loan funding to install a 220 kWh Solar PV System and Battery Storage.
A Worthy Investment
The project cost was £219,845, which was jointly supported by a £100,000 loan as well as a grant covering £100,000 as well. Despite the large cost of the project the annual savings that was estimated was £36,130. This would have a payback period of 6.1 years, however, with the addition of the grant the payback period reduced to only 3.1 years. This project is predicted to be well worth the investment!
“The solar took a little time to configure correctly, but now it is running to its full capabilities the numbers speak for themselves. Through July we bought only around 5% of our electricity from the grid, which saved us somewhere in the region of £5,600 in a single month. From a practical point of view it gives us more control and stability over our energy use, and financially those savings will help us to pay for the equipment and setup, and then reinvest the savings into other parts of the business. It is also a positive step towards our sustainability goals, reducing our carbon footprint and becoming more energy efficient.”
How It’s Going
“June and July 2026 was the first stretch with everything running at full capacity. Over this time the site used 45,800 kWh of electricity and imported just 2,000 kWh from the grid, with everything else coming from our solar array. Winter will naturally show a lower input from the system, but this is a great snapshot of what the system can do.”
The Application Process
Having applied for a combination of a grant and a loan, the application process could be quite overwhelming for a business unfamiliar with the requirements. But, our team at sben was able to support TMT First Ltd every step of the way, helping them navigate their way through the process: keeping it smooth and simple. But you don’t need to take our word for it, ready what TMT First Ltd have to say about it.
“The Grant and Loan application process was simple and well supported. The team were quick to respond and helped us understand exactly what paperwork was needed, which made it manageable alongside running the business. As an SME, we really appreciated how accessible the process felt.”
Worth the Effort
“Without the Grant and Loan support, we wouldn’t have been able to move forward with the solar installation this quickly. The upfront cost can be a challenge for SMEs, and the financial support made it possible for us to act now rather than delaying it by several years. It’s helped us unlock the benefits much sooner.”
Although it may take a little time to gather all the required documents and forms for the application, it is worth the effort in the long run. The biggest hurdle is at the beginning of the process, but the end result could be financial savings in the tens of thousands, not to mention the energy savings, carbon savings, as well as the money reinvested back into your business.
Find out more
If you would like to look into our funding options then check out our sben Funding & Support page; or, join our sben membership for free and stay updated with funding opportunities and other possibilities through our monthly newsletter.
