Renewable energy specialists Solarsense has received an International Green Hero award in recognition of its role as a global beacon of good environmental practice.
The prestigious award was presented to the North Somerset firm for carrying out a wide range of initiatives at its headquarters to reduce its environmental impact.
The company generates much of its own electricity from solar energy, runs a fleet of electric cars and even has a solar-powered fountain at its Backwell base.
Solarsense technical director Richard Simon was presented with the award by Trevor Baylis, inventor of the wind-up radio, at a ceremony at London’s Canary Wharf.
Roger Wolens, managing director of the Green Organisation, which stages the awards, said: “The International Green Hero Award is given to organisations and companies such as Solarsense that are global beacons of environmental good practice.”
Mr Simon said: “We are thrilled to win this award for our environmental achievements. We hope that other companies will gain from our experience and look at how they can reduce their own carbon footprint.”
A year ago the company won a Green Apple Environment Award for installing one of the UK’s largest private solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for Michael Eavis at Worthy Farm, home of the Glastonbury Festival.
The large array of solar PV panels at Solarsense’s headquarters also exports surplus power to the National Grid.
The building was officially confirmed as ‘carbon negative’ last month when it received an Energy Performance Certificate showing that it generates no carbon emissions.
It also has a solar thermal system to heat water and a ground source heat pump. A solar carport is being built to charge the company’s growing fleet of electric cars while a newly-installed bicycle store for employees who cycle to work has a charging point for electric bikes.
Staff can have meetings or take lunch breaks in a wooden ‘outdoor office’ powered by solar PV panels on the roof and can make themselves smoothies using a pedal-powered smoothie maker.
All the company’s green features as well as its renewable energy products will be on show at its open day on Saturday July 7 from 10.30am to 3.30pm.
Pictured: Ian Williams of Solarsense, left, celebrates winning the Green Hero Award with a pedal-powered smoothie made by his colleague Nigel Walker. Behind them is the company’s solar-powered outdoor office
