About Smart Group

Fox Contractors LTD trading as Smart Group, based at 222 West Strand, Preston. We design, install and maintain renewable energy and electrical systems for homes and businesses across the North West.

One team, four disciplines

Solar PV, battery storage, EV charging and electrical contracting sit naturally together — most renewable installations are, at heart, electrical projects. Keeping all four in-house means the same team that surveys your property designs the system, wires it and commissions it, rather than passing responsibility between subcontractors.

Accredited and compliant

We hold and work to recognised industry schemes so clients and main contractors can pre-qualify us without friction: CHAS Accredited, Constructionline Gold, SafeContractor Approved, NICEIC Standards, MCS-Certified Installs.

Where we work

From our Preston base we cover Lancashire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. Company registration number 10003310.

Our work

Solar, battery, EV and electrical projects delivered across the North West by directly employed engineers.

Domestic solar PV and battery storage

Domestic solar PV and battery storage

Roof-mounted arrays paired with battery storage so daytime generation covers evening use, installed by our own MCS-certified teams.

Residential Solar & Battery →
Commercial rooftop arrays

Commercial rooftop arrays

Warehouse, industrial and dealership roofs designed against half-hourly consumption data, with G99 applications handled end to end.

Commercial Solar →
EV charge point installation

EV charge point installation

Home chargepoints through to workplace and fleet installations with load management and back-office billing.

EV Charging →
Electrical contracting

Electrical contracting

Distribution, containment, testing and inspection across domestic, commercial and industrial sites.

Electrical Contracting →

Accredited & compliant

  • CHAS AccreditedHealth & safety compliance
  • Constructionline GoldPre-qualified supplier
  • SafeContractor ApprovedApproved contractor scheme
  • NICEIC StandardsCertified electrical work
  • MCS-Certified InstallsSolar PV & battery storage
  • Highly recommended

    “I can't recommend these guys enough. From the beginning everything was clearly explained and the solar and battery system was designed to meet our needs. The job was completed by competent electricians who cleared up after themselves and showed us how to use the system and the App. Our electricity savings over the last year have far exceeded our expectations and monthly bills have been down to £30 over this summer. We also get paid for export of any excess electricity generated by our energy supplier.”

    Alison

    United Kingdom · September 2026

    Verified

  • Fantastic system

    “Fantastic system, saving me a fortune. The team that installed were very professional and tidy. Highly recommend them to anyone wanting to consider an install, or any other electrical work.”

    P Lambert

    United Kingdom · September 2026

    Verified

  • Had solar panels with battery installed

    “Had solar panels with battery installed 2 years ago. It works brilliantly, and the after sales care (helping me to understand how it all works) is fantastic.”

    Alasdair Grubb

    United Kingdom · September 2026

    Verified

  • Absolutely thrilled with my solar

    “Absolutely thrilled with my solar panels and battery storage installed in March — the difference has been incredible. My electricity bills have dropped each month, and I'm already earning money back by exporting to the grid. The installation team were outstanding: professional, smart, tidy, polite, and genuinely respectful of my home. Choosing solar has been one of the best decisions I've made.”

    Donna Rothwell

    United Kingdom · September 2026

    Verified

Read all our reviews on Trustpilot →

Book a free site survey

Tell us about your property or site and we'll come back with a design, an indicative cost and realistic generation figures — no obligation.

Address
222 West Strand, Preston, PR1 8UJ
Get directions

Request your free survey

We'll only use your details to arrange your survey.

Opening hours

  • Monday – Friday8:00am – 4:00pm
  • SaturdayBy appointment
  • SundayClosed

What we install

  • Residential Solar & Battery
  • Commercial Solar
  • Solar Panel Maintenance
  • EV Charging
  • Electrical Contracting