From Apprentice Electrician
to Renewable Energy Specialist
The story behind Alps Electrical — a family business built on experience, honesty and doing the job properly.
A Trade First — And Always
Andy Pemberton began his career as an electrical apprentice at just 16 years old, training with N.G. Bailey — straight from school. By the age of 20 he was a fully qualified electrician, gaining experience across domestic, commercial and industrial sectors including Teesside homes, schools, hospitals, power stations and even oil platforms offshore.
He started Alps Electrical around 2000, but alongside his trade career he shared another lifelong passion with his brother Carl — music. Since childhood the pair had been writing songs and performing in bands across the North East, playing weddings, corporate gigs and Battle of the Bands competitions. In 2005, at the age of 30, they auditioned for The X Factor as the duo Journey South. They finished third in the competition, signed to Simon Cowell's Syco record label, and released a debut album that became the biggest selling album of that year — selling over 216,000 copies in its first week and more than half a million overall.
The success continued with a second album released on their own label — which reached number one in South Africa of all places! They embarked on two incredible UK tours and even performed for the now King of England on his 60th birthday, with King Charles and Queen Camilla watching from the wings of the stage.
After those extraordinary years, Andy and Carl decided it was time to settle back home. It was then that Andy returned to the trade — just as his dad had predicted. "Get a trade — you'll always have something to fall back on." Dads are always right.
Andy updated his qualifications to the latest electrical regulations, trained in solar PV and battery storage, and relaunched Alps Electrical with a clear goal: do the job properly, give honest advice, and build a company customers could trust completely.
5-Star Reviews
Checkatrade Rating
Industry Awards
Areas Covered
Experience That Transfers
One thing Andy learned from performing in front of thousands of people is how to prepare properly, communicate clearly and deliver when it matters. Those same qualities translate perfectly into running a successful installation company.
There is no hard sell at ALPS. Andy personally surveys every property, designs every solar system and explains everything in plain English. If solar is not right for a particular property, he will say so. That honesty is one of the main reasons ALPS now has hundreds of five-star reviews across Google and Checkatrade.
He also started a YouTube channel to show people exactly what an ALPS installation looks like — no editing tricks, no glossy marketing, just real installations filmed in real time where customers are happy for us to do so. It is one of the most transparent things any solar installer in the country does, and it is a reflection of who Andy is. What you see is what you get.
The Family Behind the Business
ALPS Electrical is proudly a family-run business. Andy's wife Isabella joined the company as it began to grow, bringing valuable experience from her career as a Financial Advisor with Santander. They run it together from Kirklevington, just outside Yarm, and they built it from nothing. No investors, no franchise, no shortcuts.
Isabella now manages much of the operational side of the business including customer communication, project coordination, scheduling, finance, and compliance and certification paperwork. Solar installations involve significant documentation and regulatory requirements — Isabella ensures everything runs smoothly from the first enquiry through to the final handover. When customers say ALPS is "easy to deal with," it is often thanks to Isabella's organisation and attention to detail.
The name ALPS reflects the ambition to aim high and the strength of the Pemberton partnership. When you call ALPS, you speak to Andy or Isabella. There is no call centre. No middleman. No script. That personal touch is what makes this company different — and it is something they will never trade away, no matter how much the business grows.
Andy Pemberton
Founder & Lead Electrician
- Electrical apprentice at 16, fully qualified by 20
- X Factor 2005 — 3rd place with Journey South
- 500,000+ album sales — No. 1 in South Africa with second album
- Performed for King Charles on his 60th birthday — Queen Camilla watched from the wings
- MCS & Tesla Certified Installer
- Checkatrade Sustainability Champion 2024
Isabella Pemberton
Co-Founder & Operations Director
Isabella brings valuable experience from her career as a Financial Advisor with Santander. She now manages customer communication, project coordination, scheduling, finance, and compliance and certification paperwork. Her meticulous approach ensures every project runs smoothly from the first enquiry through to final handover.
What We Stand For
Four principles that define every job we do. No exceptions.
Do the Job Properly
Every cable neatly clipped. Every panel perfectly aligned. Every connection thoroughly tested. The same perfectionism that filled arenas now goes into your home.
Radical Honesty
If solar is not right for your roof, we will tell you. No hard sell, no hidden costs, no commission-driven recommendations. Just straight talk and transparent pricing.
Employ Great People
You are inviting someone into your home. We get that. Every member of the ALPS team is polite, respectful, tidy and skilled. We hire people who care about the work as much as we do.
Smart Energy Choices
We help customers make decisions that genuinely benefit them. With homeowner consent, we film our installations and publish them on YouTube. Every recommendation is backed by real experience.
Giving Back
SARA Animal Sanctuary Solar Project
One of the projects we are most proud of is the 47.82kW solar installation at SARA Animal Sanctuary. The sanctuary rescues and rehomes animals in need, and their energy bills were eating into funds that should have gone to animal welfare.
We installed a system that has dramatically reduced their electricity costs. It was recognised with a Highly Commended award at the Regional Small Scale Project of the Year 2025 — and honestly, it means more to us than any commercial job.
Endorsed by MP Matt Vickers
Matt Vickers, Member of Parliament for Stockton West, has publicly endorsed ALPS Electrical — praising the company's contribution to the local economy, commitment to renewable energy and the example it sets as a successful small business in the Tees Valley.
The Prince's Trust
Andy performed at Prince's Trust concerts before the now King of England on his 60th birthday, with King Charles and Queen Camilla watching from the wings of the stage. He remains passionate about the Trust's mission to support young people into employment and enterprise, and actively encourages careers in the renewable energy industry.
Full Circle
Andy is passionate about nurturing young electricians, just as he was nurtured when he first started as an apprentice. He took his own son Leo on as an apprentice, and Leo is now a fully qualified electrician working as part of the ALPS Electrical team.
Interestingly, the musical streak runs deep — Leo is also performing as a singer-guitarist and writing his own songs. And so it has come full circle. Maybe he will one day leave to release his own music, just like his dad. That is a story worth watching.
What began as one electrician and a van has developed into a respected business helping homeowners and companies reduce their energy costs and move towards a more sustainable future. The values behind the company remain exactly the same: do the job properly, employ great people, train the next generation, and help customers make smart energy choices.
We Practise What We Preach
Sustainability is not just something we install for customers. It is how we run our entire business.
100% Electric Fleet
Every ALPS van on the road is fully electric. We run electric vehicles because we believe in the same technology we install for our customers. Zero tailpipe emissions on every job, every day.
Carbon Neutral Operations
From our office to every installation site, we track and offset our entire carbon footprint. The Checkatrade Sustainability Champion award validated this commitment at a national level.
Solar Powered HQ
Our base of operations runs on solar power and battery storage. We generate our own clean energy before recommending it to customers. We would never sell something we do not use ourselves.
Community Projects
From SARA Animal Sanctuary to local schools, we donate our time and expertise to community projects that benefit from clean energy. Our 47.82kW sanctuary installation was recognised with a national award.
The Journey So Far
From apprentice electrician to arena stages and back again — the full ALPS story.
Apprentice Electrician
Andy Pemberton begins his career as an electrical apprentice at 16. By 20 he is fully qualified, gaining experience across Teesside homes, schools, hospitals, power stations and offshore installations.
The X Factor
Andy and his brother Carl finish third as Journey South, sign to Simon Cowell's Syco label and release an album selling 216,000 copies in its first week. Arena tours and performing for Prince Charles follow.
Back to the Trade
Andy returns to Teesside, updates his qualifications to the latest electrical regulations and begins specialising in solar PV and battery storage. Alps Electrical is relaunched.
Into Renewables
ALPS gains MCS certification for solar and battery storage. Isabella joins from her career as a Financial Advisor at Santander. Five-star reviews stack up fast.
Tesla Certified
ALPS becomes one of a handful of Tesla Certified Powerwall installers in the North East. The YouTube channel launches, showing real installations with nothing to hide.
Award Winner
Checkatrade Sustainability Champion. Energy Efficiency Awards commendation. Over 500 outstanding reviews — more than 375 on Checkatrade and 120 on Google. The stage has changed, the standards have not.
Full Circle
Andy's son follows in his footsteps as a fully qualified electrician. Covering 65+ locations across Teesside, North East and Yorkshire. Training the next generation while helping customers make smart energy choices.
Our Accreditations
Every major certification in the electrical and renewable energy industry. Your installation is in safe, qualified hands.
MCS Certified 
NAPIT Registered 
TrustMark 
Tesla Certified 
RECC Member 
Checkatrade 10/10 Awards & Recognition
Our Carbon Impact
Every installation we complete helps reduce carbon emissions and moves the North East closer to net zero. Here is the combined impact of our work.
CO2 Saved
Tonnes of carbon avoided
Trees Equivalent
Equivalent trees planted
Clean Energy
Generated annually
Homes Powered
By solar energy we installed