A North Yorkshire First: Barkers Homeware Gets a Real-Time Solar Monitor

Driven by a Customer Who Wanted to Do More

The project was initiated by Barkers Homeware themselves. Having invested in solar panels across both of their Northallerton stores and their warehouse, Barkers wanted their customers to understand the scale of that commitment — not just through signage or a line in a newsletter, but in a way that was immediate, visual, and genuinely engaging.

The SolarFox monitor delivers exactly that. Installed prominently in-store, the display shows live solar generation data in real time — how much energy is currently being produced by the rooftop panels, how much of the store’s power that represents, and the carbon savings being made at that very moment.

It transforms an invisible process happening on the roof into something customers can see, understand, and appreciate.

More Than a Display

What makes the SolarFox monitor particularly versatile is its ability to carry multiple messages. Barkers intend to use it not only to showcase their solar generation data, but as a broader communication tool — sharing key messages with customers as they browse or pass through the store.

It is, in effect, a dynamic, branded screen that earns its place on the shop floor by starting conversations.

Part of an Ongoing Relationship

The monitor installation is the latest chapter in a long-standing relationship between Energi North East and Barkers Homeware. We designed, supplied, and installed the solar panel systems across their Northallerton sites, and we continue to provide maintenance and performance monitoring on an ongoing basis.

This is central to how Energi North East works. We are not simply installers. Our goal is to ensure that every client continues to get the very best performance from their renewable energy systems over the long term — and that means staying involved, staying responsive, and evolving the service as new opportunities emerge.

The SolarFox monitor is a perfect example of that evolution: a product that adds a new dimension of value for a client we already know well.

Could a Solar Monitor Work for Your Business?

Since completing the installation at Barkers, interest from other businesses has grown quickly. A solar monitor is well suited to a wide range of commercial environments, including:

Retail stores and showrooms
Waiting areas and reception spaces
Cafés and restaurants
Leisure and hospitality venues
Office buildings and business parks

In essence, anywhere that customers, visitors, or staff spend time is a potential location — and any business with an existing solar installation has a story worth telling.

Why Showing Your Green Investment Matters

Many businesses invest significantly in solar and renewable energy but communicate very little about it to the people they serve. A monitor changes that. It brings the investment to life at the point where it matters most — in front of customers, in real time.

Consumers increasingly factor environmental credentials into their purchasing decisions. Staff take pride in working for organisations that are taking meaningful action. A live solar display is not a gimmick — it is visible, verifiable proof that a business is walking the walk.

If you already have solar panels on your premises and would like to explore how a SolarFox monitor could work for your business, we would love to hear from you.

And if you are considering solar for the first time, our team can guide you through every stage — from initial survey and design through to installation, monitoring, and ongoing maintenance.

Get in touch with Energi North East today