Renewable energy companies in Scotland need technology that works across an office, remote sites and field teams. Get five things right: reliable connectivity at every site, managed and secure devices for engineers, cyber security that meets developer and utility supply chain requirements such as Cyber Essentials, a clear line between business IT and site control systems, and a roadmap that keeps up with project-driven growth. This guide explains each one in practical terms.
Who this guide is for
It's written for owners, managing directors, operations and project managers, office managers and finance directors of Scottish renewable energy businesses: solar and battery storage companies, installers and contractors, and developers and consultancies. Most have a head office, several sites and people spread across Scotland.
It's written by Indigo Unified Communications, a Glasgow-based managed IT, connectivity, cyber security and business mobiles provider supporting more than 10 renewable energy businesses.
Why technology matters more than ever in renewables
The sector is growing quickly, and much of that growth is in the places technology struggles to reach. At the end of March 2026, Scotland had 22 operational battery storage projects with an estimated 843 MW of capacity, and 32.8 GW of battery storage in the planning pipeline (Scottish Government, June 2026).
Every project brings new sites, people, devices and data. Rural sites are hard to connect: 4G from all mobile operators covers only 67% of Scotland's landmass, the lowest of any UK nation (Ofcom, 2025). Meanwhile, 43% of UK businesses reported a breach or attack in the last 12 months (DSIT, April 2026), and larger developers and utilities now ask their suppliers to prove their security before awarding work.
What's in this guide
- What are the biggest technology challenges for renewable energy companies? The eight problems we see most.
- What does a good IT strategy look like for a renewable energy business? Six pillars, a technology stack and a roadmap.
- How should renewable energy companies protect themselves from cyber attacks? Cyber Essentials and keeping business IT apart from site systems.
- What's the best internet for a remote solar or battery storage site? 4G, 5G, satellite, fixed lines and failover compared.
- What mobile technology do renewables field teams need? Networks, rugged devices, Intune and lone working.
- How can renewable energy companies get more from Microsoft 365 and AI? Project workspaces and Copilot.
- How do you choose an IT provider for a renewable energy company? Ten questions to ask.
- Renewable energy technology readiness checklist 20 yes/no questions to test where you stand.
The biggest misconception we come across
How Indigo does this. Many renewables businesses assume their technology problems are about the sites. In our experience, most start in the office: unmanaged laptops, shared logins to monitoring portals, project files in personal inboxes and no plan for the next site. We support more than 10 renewable energy businesses from Glasgow, and the biggest gains usually come from managing every device through Microsoft Intune, turning on multi-factor authentication and giving each project a proper home in Teams and SharePoint.
Frequently asked questions
What IT does a small renewable energy company need?
At minimum: Microsoft 365 with multi-factor authentication on every account, managed and encrypted laptops and phones, protection against viruses and ransomware on every device (endpoint protection), email security, Microsoft 365 backup and a reliable connection at the office and each site. Add Cyber Essentials if you supply developers, utilities or the public sector. Most small solar and battery storage firms can run all of this on Microsoft 365 Business Premium.
How do you get internet to a remote solar or battery storage site?
Start with a coverage check at the exact location across EE, O2 and Vodafone. Most sites can be connected with a 4G or 5G router and an external antenna, often within days. Where mobile coverage is too weak, low-orbit satellite works almost anywhere. Long-term sites can add a fixed line, with the mobile or satellite link kept as automatic backup.
Do renewable energy suppliers need Cyber Essentials?
Increasingly, yes. Developers, utilities and public bodies ask suppliers and subcontractors to show cyber security controls, and Cyber Essentials is the most common baseline. It's required for central government contracts that involve personal data or OFFICIAL information (PPN 014, which replaced PPN 09/23 in February 2025). Only 5% of UK businesses hold it (DSIT, April 2026), so certification also helps a firm stand out.
Should our IT provider manage our inverter or battery monitoring systems?
Not usually. Inverter, battery and grid control systems are normally specified and supported by the equipment provider or grid operator. Your IT provider should manage business IT, keep it separate from those systems, and secure the laptops, phones and accounts your engineers use to reach monitoring portals. Indigo Unified Communications works this way and doesn't manage SCADA (site control) systems.
Where to start
Start with a structured review of your current setup. It shows the risks and quick wins before you commit to new systems or suppliers.
Sources: Scottish Government, Energy Statistics for Scotland – Q1 2026, 30 June 2026, https://www.gov.scot/publications/energy-statistics-for-scotland-q1-2026/ · Ofcom, Connected Nations 2025: Scotland report, 19 November 2025, https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/coverage-and-speeds/nations-report-2025 · DSIT, Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025/2026, 30 April 2026, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cyber-security-breaches-survey-20252026/cyber-security-breaches-survey-20252026
Chapters
Download the full guide (PDF, 602 KB) Free, no sign-up. Every chapter is also below.
What are the biggest technology challenges for renewable energy companies?
The eight technology problems we see most in Scottish solar, battery storage and renewables firms, from remote site connectivity to supply chains.
What does a good IT strategy look like for a renewable energy business?
A practical IT strategy for a solar, battery storage or renewables business: six pillars, a recommended technology stack and a three-phase roadmap.
How should renewable energy companies protect themselves from cyber attacks?
Supply chain requirements, Cyber Essentials, and keeping business IT separate from inverter and battery monitoring systems in solar and storage firms.
What's the best internet for a remote solar or battery storage site?
How to choose internet for remote solar, battery storage and renewables sites in Scotland: 4G, 5G, satellite, fixed lines and failover compared.
What mobile technology do renewables field teams need?
Networks, rugged phones and tablets, Intune and lone working: what solar installers and renewables field engineers in Scotland need from mobiles.
How can renewable energy companies get more from Microsoft 365 and AI?
How solar, battery storage and renewables firms use Teams, SharePoint, Intune and Copilot for project delivery, partner sharing and reporting.
How do you choose an IT provider for a renewable energy company?
Seven things to look for in an IT provider for a solar, battery storage or renewables business, ten questions to ask, and when to move on.
Renewable energy technology readiness checklist
A 20-question checklist to test your renewables business's strategy, site connectivity, field devices, cyber security, collaboration and AI readiness.
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