UK Solar Thermal Firm Expands into Spain and Portugal to Accelerate Heat Decarbonisation Across Iberia
British solar heat technology innovator Naked Energy has announced a major expansion into Spain and Portugal, marking a significant step in its mission to transform the clean heating market across Europe. The company has opened a new regional office in Madrid to serve as its Iberian headquarters, underscoring the growing importance of Southern Europe in the global transition to renewable heat.
Unlike conventional solar photovoltaic (PV) panels that solely produce electricity, Naked Energy’s pioneering technology captures solar energy as heat, delivering high-efficiency thermal energy for commercial and industrial use. The company’s Virtu product range—including VirtuHOT and VirtuPVT collectors—has been described as a potential game-changer for decarbonising heating systems in buildings, which account for a substantial portion of total energy use across Europe.
The VirtuHOT collectors produce clean heat up to 120°C, ideal for applications such as space heating, hot water, and industrial processes. Meanwhile, VirtuPVT units combine solar thermal and PV generation in a single system, producing both electricity and heat up to 75°C. This hybrid technology is the world’s first evacuated solar collector to earn the gold TÜV certification, an internationally recognised standard of performance and reliability. According to Naked Energy, the Virtu range can deliver up to ten times the efficiency of traditional solar PV panels when measured by useful thermal energy output.
Strategic Expansion and Local Leadership
To spearhead this Iberian growth, Naked Energy has appointed Luis Guajardo as Head of Business Development for Iberia. Based in Madrid, Guajardo brings over 15 years of experience in the water, industrial, and energy sectors, with a strong track record of driving business growth in Southern Europe. Prior to joining Naked Energy, he successfully led the regional expansion of Rädlinger Primus Line, a German company specialising in hydraulic infrastructure.
Guajardo’s appointment reflects Naked Energy’s strategic emphasis on local partnerships and regional expertise. His engineering background and understanding of energy efficiency solutions will be central to establishing the Virtu technology in key markets such as Spain’s industrial clusters and Portugal’s tourism sector, where demand for reliable, sustainable heat is rapidly rising.
Addressing Energy Challenges in Iberia
The move into Iberia comes at a critical moment for the region’s energy transition. Earlier this year, parts of Spain and Portugal experienced widespread power blackouts, highlighting the vulnerability of the grid amid surging energy demand and climate-related stresses. Naked Energy’s solar thermal systems operate independently of the electrical grid, providing a resilient, on-site source of clean energy that can help businesses reduce grid dependency while advancing their net-zero targets.
Moreover, heating remains a dominant energy consumer across Iberia—over half of total energy demand in both Spain and Portugal is related to heat production for buildings, industry, and water systems. By providing high-efficiency solar thermal solutions, Naked Energy’s expansion directly supports Iberia’s decarbonisation goals, which include phasing out fossil-fuel-based heating and improving building energy performance in line with EU climate directives.
A Period of International Momentum
Naked Energy’s expansion into Spain and Portugal follows a period of rapid international growth. In 2024, the company announced a strategic partnership with ELM Solar to manufacture Virtu collectors in Dallas, Texas, marking its official entry into the North American market. This move was part of a broader scale-up initiative supported by a £17 million investment from Barclays and E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions, aimed at expanding manufacturing capacity and commercial reach.
The company has already completed successful installations in over 20 countries, with notable projects including collaborations with the British Library and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London—both of which serve as high-profile demonstrations of how solar heat can be integrated into complex urban energy systems.
Industry and Leadership Perspectives
Christophe Williams, CEO and Co-founder of Naked Energy, emphasised the strategic significance of this latest expansion:
“Entering Spain and Portugal gives us a great opportunity to deliver our service offering to a wider range of businesses at such a crucial time for decarbonisation. Luis brings vital expertise in this space—he has already taken key steps to find reference projects and raise our profile in such an important market.”
Williams also highlighted how the company’s technology aligns with EU energy efficiency targets and growing demand for low-carbon heating alternatives:
“As more businesses look to reduce emissions and energy costs, solar heat offers a scalable and proven pathway. The Iberian Peninsula, with its excellent solar resource, is a natural fit for our Virtu systems.”
Luis Guajardo, newly appointed Head of Business Development for Iberia, expressed enthusiasm about leading the company’s regional growth:
“It is an exciting time to join as Naked Energy continues to expand internationally. The team combines innovation with a genuine commitment to sustainability, and I’m proud to be part of this next chapter. Our ambition is to replicate the success of projects such as the British Library and Mandarin Oriental here in Iberia, showing that our technology can deliver both strong financial returns and substantial carbon savings.”
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