eEnergy Group (AIM: EAAS ) has launched a specialist sanitisation service to support schools through its subsidiary eLight.
As schools in the UK and Ireland prepare for the return of pupils, eLight is now offering to sanitise their buildings in addition to the installation of LED lighting.
The whole package is entirely funded through the energy savings created by the change to LED lighting.
To further incentivise schools, eLight is also offering a three-month payment holiday if they make the switch to LED lighting before September 2020.
Shares in eEnergy have opened up 7.5% following the announcement
Harvey Sinclair, CEO, eEnergy Group plc, said: "We want to help schools return to life as normal, as safely and as quickly as possible.
As they prepare for the lockdown to be lifted, and think about their resources, we are expecting to see more operators of schools, work and public places begin to look at switching to LED lighting through our self-funding model.
The scalable and flexible eEnergy offer means that we are both well placed to meet that demand and deliver additional customer-focused services such as deep cleaning."
Since the start of the lockdown, many schools have started to look at energy reduction projects while there are no (or reduced numbers of) pupils on site. Demand for eLight's service is gaining momentum, and the Group is currently assessing over 200 school projects. Based on current conversion rates, eEnergy expects to convert over 40% of these projects into signed contracts.
Businesses and schools can switch to LED lighting for a fixed monthly service fee, avoiding any upfront payments (known as Light-as-a-Service or LaaS). For schools, the benefits of LaaS are compelling. Schools can unlock cash savings while significantly reducing their carbon footprint. For example, one secondary school which recently signed with eLight is expected to release £500,000 of cash over a 10-year period without any capital costs.