Jurni Leasing has announced a partnership with RS Connect to offer Genie Insights’ solar battery maintenance solution as a retrofit installation service to its minibus customers, aimed at increasing vehicle uptime and reducing battery-related breakdowns.

The fitment of a roof-mounted solar panel provides an ongoing trickle charge to the minibus 12V battery and aims to address the growing issue of schools and colleges suffering from flat batteries due to vehicles standing dormant during holidays.

Jurni runs a fleet of over 3,000 minibuses and RS Connect’s team of 100 electrical engineers will deliver a nationwide retrofit capability for single-vehicle or large-scale retrofit programmes.

Under the partnership, RS Connect will install the tried and tested Genie Insights 50W solar battery maintenance solution to Jurni customer vehicles, which is powered by a solar panel manufactured in the UK by MIPV.  RS Connect is an established Genie Insights installation partner and has already completed more than 2,500 installations of Genie solar solutions across fleets including Network Rail and Centrica. Its engineers are trained to install the system, providing Jurni with the nationwide coverage required to offer the retrofit service across its customer base.

“Minibuses are heavily relied on during term time but can sit unused for weeks during school holidays. These extended periods off the road can compromise battery reliability and leave vehicles unable to start when they’re needed most,” said Duncan Fitzgerald, Chief Operating Officer at Jurni Leasing.

“The solar panels are designed to help fleets combat 12-volt battery drain issues on diesel and electric vehicles to maintain battery health and vehicle uptime whilst reducing vehicle breakdown and rescue costs. RS is the ideal partner as it has the capability and coverage to install panels nationwide,” he added.

John Corfield, Managing Director at RS Connect, added: “The collaboration with Jurni is an exciting one as we will reduce the inconvenience and cost for customers of a flat battery, whilst optimising vehicle uptime for schools, colleges and universities across the UK.”

Laura Reeve, Commercial Director at Genie Insights, said: “Minibuses are a great example of where solar battery maintenance makes sense. They can have periods of intensive use followed by several weeks sitting idle, while onboard electrical systems continue to draw power from the 12V battery.

“We’ve worked with RS Connect on some of our largest fleet retrofit projects, so it’s great to see that experience now being used to make the Genie solution available to Jurni’s minibus customers across the UK.”

Alongside the retrofit service, Jurni will also offer the Genie Insights solar battery maintenance solution on new minibus leases, giving schools, colleges and other education customers the option to improve battery reliability from day one.

The partnership adds another route to market for Genie Insights’ commercial vehicle solar technology, combining Jurni’s experience within the minibus sector with RS Connect’s nationwide installation capability and Genie’s experience in vehicle-integrated solar battery maintenance.

Isuzu UK has announced its collaboration with Genie Insights, with its advanced solar technology offered as a bespoke factory-integrated option on the new Isuzu D-Max EV.

Designed to give fleet customers confidence in battery performance and range protection on EVs, the collaboration marks a significant step forward for integrated solar in the commercial vehicle sector, with systems installed before vehicles reach customers rather than being retrofitted later.

The new Isuzu D-Max EV is the first fully electric pick-up in the UK to offer more than a one-tonne payload alongside zero-emissions capability. Fleet operators now have the option to specify Genie Insights’ solar technology as part of the vehicle build.

The system is designed to support overall battery health and maintain the performance of onboard electrical systems. For fleets operating in demanding environments or relying heavily on auxiliary power, this provides additional peace of mind, helping to protect the 12v battery condition, while also preserving range over time.

The relationship between Genie Insights and Isuzu UK’s importer, IM Group, has developed through real-world fleet use. Early collaboration began via shared customer Network Rail, where diesel Isuzu D-Max vehicles were already in operation. Genie Insights has also deployed its solar technology across Network Rail’s wider fleet, fitting around 450 commercial vehicles (primarily vans) over the past two years.

Following a period of trials and evaluation with IM Group, the collaboration has evolved in response to clear customer demand for integrated solar capability and IM Group joins Genie Insights’ growing portfolio of partners. Today, Genie Insights supports a growing number of major UK fleets, having sold almost 15,000 solar PV systems for commercial vehicles across organisations such as British Gas and BT/Openreach.

The solar system itself has been designed specifically for commercial vehicle applications. It is a bespoke 75-watt, high-voltage solution fitted to the load bed roof. Measuring 947mm in length and 687mm in width, it weighs just 2.5kg and is just 3mm thick, designed with efficiency in mind, which is particularly important in EVs where weight can impact range.

Optimised for UK conditions, the CIGS technology generates energy from daylight rather than from direct sunlight. This means it’s able to operate effectively throughout the winter and in low-light conditions, proven through extensive real-world operation across six winters. It’s also designed to perform in partially shaded areas, with diodes on every other cell and is a true ‘fit-and-forget’ solution, requiring no change in driver behaviour.

Manufactured in the UK and fully compliant with ECE R10 Type Approval standards, the solution has been developed to ensure reliability and compliance.

Alan Able, managing director of Isuzu UK, said: “We’ve been on a great journey with Genie Insights, and the relationship we’ve built in a short space of time reflects the quality of the product and the collaboration behind it. Offering this solution on the Isuzu D-Max EV allows us to give customers an integrated, high-quality option that’s already been proven in fleet use, while maintaining the durability and capability expected from Isuzu.”

Matt Reeve, managing director at Genie Insights, said: “We’re delighted to be adding another OEM to our portfolio, and to be working with a prestigious brand like Isuzu UK. By working closely with Isuzu UK, we can offer a seamless route to having our solar technology fitted before vehicles enter operation, making it easy for fleets to benefit from a fully integrated solution from day one. This is a proven, fit-and-forget system that supports 12v battery health and gives operators added confidence in the reliability of their vehicles, particularly in demanding environments.”

Genie Insights and RS Connect partnership delivers 2,500 solar panel retrofits for commercial vehicle fleets

Genie Insights and RS Connect have marked a major milestone in their long-standing partnership after completing more than 2,500 solar retrofit installations for commercial vehicle fleets across the UK.

Working together on large-scale van retrofit programmes for organisations including Network Rail and Centrica, RS Connect has become an extension of the Genie Insights installation and support operation, delivering nationwide retrofit capability backed by a network of more than 100 trained electrical engineers.

The partnership enables Genie Insights to support customers ranging from single-vehicle retrofits through to nationwide deployment programmes involving hundreds of installations in a single day.

While RS Connect’s core expertise lies in telematics, camera systems and vehicle electrical installations, its engineers have received specialist training from Genie Insights to install Genie’s solar solutions for commercial vehicles.

The systems are designed to help fleets combat 12- and 24-volt battery drain issues by providing a continual trickle charge to maintain battery health and vehicle uptime.

Beyond installation capacity, the relationship between the two businesses has evolved into a highly collaborative technical partnership. RS Connect works closely with Genie Insights to develop and document bespoke installation procedures for new vehicle makes and models where standard fitting methods are unsuitable, helping ensure consistency across fleet deployments.

Detailed installation guides and quality control processes have also been jointly developed to maintain solar installation standards across every retrofit programme.

Laura Reeve, Commercial Director at Genie Insights, said: “RS Connect is a genuine extension of the Genie team. Their engineers represent our brand on customer sites every day, so having a partner that shares our standards around quality, professionalism and customer service is incredibly important.

“The relationship goes far beyond simply carrying out installations. Their operational and technical teams collaborate closely with us to solve challenges and help us deliver a consistent service nationwide. Reaching 2,500 installations together is a fantastic milestone and reflects the strength of the partnership we’ve built.”

John Corfield, Managing Director at RS Connect, added: “Our engineers are used to delivering high-quality electrical installations in demanding fleet environments, so working alongside Genie Insights has been a natural fit.

“The collaboration between both teams has been excellent from day one. Together we’ve developed installation processes that allow customers to implement solar retrofit programmes efficiently and consistently, whether that’s a handful of vehicles or a major nationwide roll out.”

Independent transport refrigeration specialist, CB Transport Refrigeration Limited has reached a milestone of installing 1,500 solar panels to its refrigerated trailers.

It turned to solar power back in 2021 to help customers eliminate fridge battery issues, reduce call-outs and keep temperature-controlled goods moving.

What started as a one-off trial fitting Genie Insight’s solar panels to reefer trailers, has grown steadily, with solar now a core part of CB Transport Refrigeration’s offering to its customer base to enhance equipment reliability and reduce downtime.

The panels provide a trickle charge to the battery of the transport refrigeration unit (TRU), reducing the risk of flat batteries, one of the most common causes of trailers out of service breakdowns in the cold chain. Once fitted, the panels discreetly do their job in the background, keeping the fridge battery charged and fully operational.

Designed specifically for transport refrigeration units, Genie Insights’ solar solution is lightweight, low-profile, and purpose-built for the harsh conditions of commercial vehicle operations.

“We’ve always been about keeping our customers on the road,” said Kev Collins, managing director at CB Transport Refrigeration.

“Breakdowns from flat fridge batteries are a nightmare for operators – from down time of the vehicles to repair costs – it all has an impact. We needed a fix that actually worked and Genie’s solar kit does just that. Simple, reliable, and does exactly what it says on the tin.”

“My customers see the benefit straight away. Fewer call-outs, less downtime, and peace of mind. We’ve now got 1,500 panels out there, and counting,” he added.

The company, which is the UK’s longest-serving official Carrier service partner, has been supporting temperature-controlled operators for more than four decades through expert service, maintenance and installation of refrigerated transport equipment.

“The collaboration or joint venture between the two companies has been a great relationship from the start. They understand how we work, and they’ve never let us down. Panels turn up when they’re meant to, and the kit works. That’s all we ask,” said Collins.

Matt Reeve, managing director at Genie Insights, said: “CB Transport Refrigeration knows what temperature-controlled operators are up against, and they’ve really championed our solar product since the first trial we ran for one of their key accounts who were experiencing recurring flat batteries. It’s always a pleasure working with Kev and the CB team, and we’re really proud to have become a key part of the total package they offer to customers.”

CB Transport Refrigeration is committed to addressing common operational challenges faced by temperature-controlled operators. By integrating Genie Insights’ reliable solar technology into its service offering, the company is providing its customers with a commercial advantage through enhanced equipment reliability and reduced downtime.