TSol and PVSol simulation software

The Solar Design Company

 

Tsol software

About Us

The Solar Design Company was founded in 1993 by Chris Laughton. He remains today as the Managing Director trading under a limited company, now based in mid-Wales. Here, he supervises a small team of people located at an old refurbished slate quarry railway building.

Chris Laughton

Managing Director: Chris Laughton

Chris is a well known author and lecturer in solar thermal and photovoltaic industries and trainer in solar simulation software. He is a Fellow of The Institute of Domestic Heating and Environmental Engineers (FIDHEE) and Chair of the IDHEE Renewable Group, as well as Chair of the National Standards Committee for Solar at BSI and a CIBSE affiliate. He is also a part-time MCS inspector for ELECSA as part of the Electrical Contractor’s Association (ECA) group. He has recently worked with the Berlin-based Renewable Energy Academy (RENAC) on two middle-Eastern training projects, and is leader of the Centre for Alternative Technology’s Graduate School of the Environment (GSE) solar and wood-heating course.


Julian Pett

Technical Support & Training Manager: Julian Pett

After graduating with a BSc Hons in ‘Physics with Astrophysics’ from The University of Kent at Canterbury, Julian worked in retail management within the music industry. He then developed a business in property development and specialist renovation projects for residential buildings. He is now studying for the MSc in ‘Renewable Energy and the Built Environment’ at the Centre for Alternative Technology. He is responsible for providing technical support and troubleshooting client issues in solar simulation software, as well as drafting and administering technical documents and specialised projects. Chris and Julian are the only two natural English-language speaking trainers for T*SOL and PV*SOL in the world.


Gwen Winship

Sales & Projects Co-Ordinator: Gwen Winship

Gwen has an MSc in ‘Environmental Management’ and a BSc Hons in ‘Biology’ from Aberystwyth University. She was awarded a scholarship with RSK Group PLC, an Environmental Consultancy firm based in Chester, and was given the Director’s Prize for academic achievement. Since graduation she has worked in land surveying for MW Surveys in Pembrokeshire and volunteered for the RSPB. Gwen is responsible for co-ordinating sales and customer-liaison activities and managing specialised projects.


Martin Kemp

ICT Technician: Martin Kemp

Martin has worked in application support for Deutsche Bank on Wall Street, New York. He was Research Director for the ZeroCarbonBritain 2030 project, and assisted PIRC's transition from Pharmaceuticals to Environment. He has since gained an MSc in ‘Architecture, Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies’ from the Centre for Alternative Technology. Martin is responsible for strategic planning of ICT development. This involves liaising with suppliers, enhancing system performance and implementing workflow automation procedures and contingency plans.


Kirsty Sedgman

Marketing Consultant

Kirsty has been with The Solar Design Company since 2008, and is responsible for planning and co-ordination of all marketing activities. She managed an inner-city community regeneration scheme in Birmingham and worked as marketing co-ordinator in child development and tuition. After graduating from Warwick University’s ‘Creative Writing’ MA she worked as head scriptwriter for a Sky TV channel, delivered roleplay courses for doctors training as consultants, and has had a number of stories, poems and plays published and produced for international audiences. She is currently studying for her Ph.D in ‘Audience Research for Theatre’ at Aberystwyth University.



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