GRYD has developed a UK-first subscription model that allows developers and homeowners to install solar without ever paying for the hardware.
UK-based solartech startup GRYD Energy has secured £1 million in Pre-Seed funding to support its national expansion. The company has introduced a first-of-its-kind subscription model that eliminates the upfront cost of solar hardware, making solar energy accessible to millions of UK homeowners.
With GRYD’s subscription, homeowners pay a fixed monthly fee—averaging £65 for a four-bedroom house—that covers hardware, maintenance, and insurance for 25 years. This approach removes financial barriers, saving developers up to £10,000 per home while allowing households to enjoy immediate energy savings.
Following a successful pilot in Cornwall and an energy export deal with Good Energy, GRYD aims to expand to hundreds of homes in 2025 and scale to 30,000 new-build homes over the next three years.
CEO and co-founder Mohamed Gaafar emphasized the untapped solar potential in UK rooftops, stating, “The need to futureproof Britain’s new housing stock for a clean, energy-efficient future has never been greater.”
Mohamed Gaafar, CEO and co-founder of GRYD, said:
“With around 250,000 new homes being built in the UK each year, the untapped solar potential of our residential rooftops is immense and only continues to grow — as does the pressing need to ensure that Britain’s new housing stock is futureproofed and primed for a clean, energy-efficient future.”
Karl Lokko, Founder & Managing Partner of Black Seed VC, said:
“The GRYD Energy team’s vision for clean, accessible energy is matched by the experience, grit, and enthusiasm that’s impossible to ignore. We’re proud to stand alongside them as they turn ambition into impact.”
The funding round was led by Black Seed VC, SFC Capital, and Oasthouse Ventures, with notable investors including Simon Turner and Richard Thwaites. GRYD plans to use the funds for key hires, partnerships, and expanding its offerings to include flexibility services, optimizing energy use to benefit customers and the grid.
Photo credit: Lead image: GRYD Energy and Black Seed VC teams (L-R Mohamed Gaafar, Scott Whiteside, Tom Jordan, Yvonne Nagawa, Leonie Thomas, Mathieu Van Assche, Karl Lokko). Photo: uncredited.
