A RENEWABLE energy specialist has staked its place amongst the country’s brightest young businesses after scooping a major award.

Leeds-based Eco One, which designs, installs and commissions low carbon renewable technologies including solar photovoltaics, solar thermal hot water and air source heat pumps, has been named as a Green Regional Winner in HSBC’s Start-Up Stars 2010.

The judges were looking for businesses with a specific focus on environmental issues that could demonstrate innovative approaches to climate control, energy consumption and conservation to reduce the impact of a business on the environment.

Having worked in the energy industry for Centrica for 12 years, managing director Kevin Minter set out to offer an alternative to fossil fuels and provide energy efficiency solutions for homes and businesses.

Accreditation by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme means that clients can receive an income through the Government’s new Clean Energy Cashback (feed-in tariffs) scheme, which allows households and communities that generate electricity with solar panels get paid for their efforts by energy suppliers.

Eco One is looking at ways of installing Microgeneration systems in social housing stock as well as helping businesses tap into government grants and interest-free loans through the Carbon Trust.

Already making its mark, the company has completed a number of domestic installations and has more projects and tenders in the pipeline for organisations including Ipswich Borough Council and Craven District Council, as well as commercial projects for a nursery school and 14 new build houses.

Mr Minter said: “Future plans include becoming a regional hub for the supply and distribution of solar products and working closely with local authorities and housing associations to find energy solutions for social housing, low income households and public buildings.

“Eco One now has a plan in place to install Solar Photovoltaics in Yorkshire homes for free due to a system of Feed-in Tariffs to incentivise small scale, low carbon electricity generation such as solar panels (PV) fitted on roofs which use energy from the sun to create electricity.”

Eco One is now in the running to represent the North East area at the national London finals in October.

Source: BusinessDesk