Solar panel firm to create 50 jobs in Carlow 

SOLAR panel company Sun Arc is set to invest €20m in Carlow over the next two years, which will create 50 new skilled jobs, the company has said.

Sun Arc currently employs 30 people at its Carlow operation, so this investment will see its Carlow workforce more than double. There will be new jobs available in installation, engineering, manufacturing, maintenance, customer support, management and renewable energy innovation.

The investment is part of its new ‘Solar as a Service’ model, which is launching in March. This model allows businesses to install solar panels with no upfront cost. Instead of paying upfront for the solar panels and their installation, businesses pay a reduced set energy rate for about 15 years while Sun Arc manages installation, maintenance, monitoring and upgrades. The solar panels themselves have a 30-year lifespan guarantee.

Although this service has been offered abroad in countries like the UK and Australia, Sun Arc is the first company in Ireland to offer this service.

Billy Thompson, Sun Arc’s managing director, said: “Carlow has always been a place of innovation and resilience, and we are proud to drive sustainability forward while creating quality jobs and supporting our community with an all-in managed solar solution. We believe Carlow’s business community can truly be a leader in the drive for sustainable, solar-powered energy and Sun Arc are committed to partnering with businesses here to make that happen.”