AN ALTRINCHAM businessman is boosting his company with a cash-injection of a third of a million for free, though it’s not quite money for nothing.

Altrincham-based Dave Gage, 49, a partner in high end body shop repairers Parkway Prestige, is renting out his roof space for an array of solar panels with an investment deal from Green Energy Commercial.

The ‘free fit scheme’ means that, when the sun is in the sky, the company will slash its electricity bill at its Trafford Park premises by more than half, and the savings over 25 years will be £333,640.

Dave, who has run the business for 22 years, said: “For us the savings help with the profit in the business, but were also keen to do something about reducing our carbon footprint.”

Along with business partner Tony McCauley, 49, Dave hopes to re-invest the savings in a dozen apprenticeships to ensure the company’s future come rain or shine through to the next generation.

Dave described the deal saying: “This is planning for our future and free off the big fellow in the sky.”

Eric Redfern, of Green Energy Commercial, said: ‘It’s a win, win for businesses – we can ensure they fix their electricity bill and the free fit systems can save them a fortune over the lifetime of the deal.

‘We are doing similar deals for scores and scores of small businesses and medium sized firms and even household names can see a return on their bottom line by fitting panels.”