In March 2026 Solivus were invited to visit New York and Detroit as part of a Grow London Global trade mission organised by London & Partners.

Our CEO, Jo Parker-Swift had an extraordinary time meeting leading Global Board Members from a range of industries. When we are promoting our lightweight solar and software solutions to commercial clients we usually focus on the energy cost saving and energy resilience opportunity. However, we found that the US clients were refreshingly focused on the sustainability and decarbonisation benefits of our solutions.

A WEEK IN THE DRIVING LANE WITH INSPIRING US AUTOMOTIVE LEADERS

Solivus aim to support the global automotive industry save money, gain energy security and decarbonise, at a time when the geopolitical landscape has accelerated the need for sustainable energy solutions. This trip to Detroit (arguably the heart of the automotive industry) has given us a real push forwards.

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During a trip to the HQ of Ford motors, Jo Parker-Swift commented, “The current Chairman Bill Ford of Ford Motors is very passionate about sustainability. Over the past years they have reduced their water consumption by 70% and reduced their carbon footprint by a similar amount as well. They have further carbon reduction ambitions across their manufacturing processes to be carbon neutral by 2035. 

When you see the scale of that goal it is quite something. I was fascinated by the story of Ford, by how many of the people working there seem to have Ford in their soul as generations of their families had also worked there. 

You really got the feeling that Ford take care of the community. My eyes were popping out of my head on the factory tour. It is MASSIVE and that is just for the production of the Ford F-150 which is pretty cool. The visit did educate me on the scale of the global automotive industry. It is absolutely beyond huge.” 

Jo also met representatives from Stellantis, a company not talked about very much in the UK but a huge player in the automotive industry. Stellantis own many of the world’s car brands such as Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, Peugeot, Fiat and Alpha Romeo. Stellantis have 75 EVs currently due to come online by 2030 across the group. Jo was excited to talk with them about exploring reducing energy costs and carbon across factories and other premises with lightweight solar. The head office itself is the biggest building in the US after the Pentagon!

Since the visit the Solivus team have been progressing conversations further with all of the impressive and innovative corporations we were introduced to on the trip.

WHY CLIMATE TECH INVESTMENT IN THE US CONTINUES TO GROW

As the U.S. looks for innovative ways to meet growing energy demands while accelerating the transition to cleaner power, lightweight solar technology is opening up new possibilities to meet ambitious goals for renewable energy adoption. Grow London Global’s Climate Tech Global Trends report of 2025 states, ‘The Trump administration’s more fossil-fuel orientated energy stance is likely to transform what was once a strong policy tailwind into a headwind for climate tech. However, climate tech investment is still proving to be politically agnostic’.

The report also mentions renewable energy within The United States has sustained double-digit growth over the past five years, supported by falling technology costs, well-developed supply chains and international policy incentives.

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