Unlocking 20+ Viable Sites in Just 3 Months with Searchland

When Michael Duppa-Miller, founder of Honeycomb Developments, committed to scaling his renewable energy business, he needed more than guesswork to find the right opportunities.

Within just three months of actively using Searchland, he went from zero viable leads to over 20 - all while laying the groundwork to move from site sourcing to owning and developing his own renewable energy assets.

Among other services, Honeycomb Developments specialises in sourcing prime sites for roof-mounted solar, battery storage, and other renewable projects, connecting high-energy-use businesses with the developers and installers who can make them a reality.

Challenges before Searchland

• Site assessments were time-consuming
• Planning data for solar projects was difficult to uncover
• A less strategic approach to pipeline

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“The data quality is incredible. I can analyse a property in minutes and decide whether it’s worth pursuing.”

Honeycomb’s ideal sites are owner-occupied industrial or commercial premises with large, south-facing roof space - ideally over 250m². Searchland's Sourcing tool makes it easy to identify these properties, check planning history, assess the local energy connection infastructure, and understand the lease profile before reaching out.

While his current model focuses on connecting clients to developers, the vision is bigger.

“Searchland has opened the door to moving beyond sourcing. I can see a future where I’m gaining planning permission myself, benefiting from uplift in land value, and even owning solar farms or wind assets outright.”

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"I might just be Searchland’s most dedicated user – I’m on all day, every day!"

For Michael, Searchland isn’t only about what’s available today. By tracking planning applications and changes of use, he can position Honeycomb ahead of the competition.

“If I see an industrial development in planning, I’ll reach out right away - even if the build is a year off. It’s about getting into a landowner’s mind early, so when the time comes, Honeycomb is the first call they make.”

One feature that’s caught Michael’s attention is Searchland’s letter-sending tool - perfect for his highly personalised, relationship-first approach.

“Digital outreach has its place, but nothing beats a personalised letter. With Searchland, I can streamline the process without losing that personal touch.”

The renewable sector is competitive and faces real challenges, particularly with grid connectivity. But Searchland is leading the way with its advanced energy data and intelligent tools.

“By utilising the data from Searchland, I’m able to tackle the problems head-on. Searchland brings together all of the data I need - combining layers of insight you wouldn’t normally find in the same place, and uncovering opportunities nobody else is seeing.”

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“Searchland has completely changed how I work.”

For Michael, the shift to daily use of Searchland has been transformational - not just in the number of opportunities in his pipeline, but in the scale of his ambition.

“The 1-2-1 sessions with my account manager have set me up for success, and now I’m on the platform every day. I’ve gone from zero deals to 20+ strong opportunities in my pipeline - and that’s just the start.”

- Quotes from Michael Duppa-Miller, founder of Honeycomb Developments,

Want to see how Searchland can help you source and assess sites for roof-mounted solar installations? Book a demo with our team to see how.

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