Colchester based family business Ecohill, part of the TH Companies Group, is celebrating the success of winning a national award recognising them as Britain's number one installer of solar panels following a glamorous awards ceremony at a top London hotel last week.

Ecohill was nominated for the British Renewable Energy Awards Installer of the Year by an auditor from the Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL), an Office of Fair Trading backed consumer code.

Dean Hill, Director of Ecohill explains, “We are members of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code which protects consumers and promotes renewable energy. Part of our membership of this industry body involves regular audits.  Our last auditor was so impressed with our operation that she nominated us for the Installer of Year in the British Renewable Energy Awards.  Frankly we were amazed to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award.    

"We are a long established family based business and we pride ourselves on the relationships that we have built with our customers over the past 28 years.  As far as we’re concerned that level of service is just what we do day to day, it’s second nature to us.  

"The awards evening will live in our memories for quite some time.  To be acknowledged as the best in front of our industry peers and to win against the likes of British Gas was quite a surreal experience. We felt honoured to be recognised for our work ethic, winning an award like this makes all the hard work and effort worthwhile. It was our first award but I am hoping it won’t be our last!

"There are some companies out there who have  brought the solar panel industry into disrepute through exaggerated claims with regard to money saving and costs of installation.  At Ecohill, first and foremost we are a family business. Building relationships based on honesty and trust is what we are all about, we sell our service on facts and strive to dispel the myths and pitfalls surrounding renewable energy.”

The award for Installer of the Year was presented to Ecohill directors Dean and Terry Hill by REA Head of On-site Renewables Mike Landy and Chief Executive of REAL and the RECC Virginia Graham, who was also one of the 2013 judges. 

REA Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell said, “Ensuring that standards are kept high in the micro renewables installation sector is a very challenging task.   Every year the Consumer Code audits a proportion of the 5000 companies out there and few companies emerge with an unblemished record.   When a company particularly impresses, the scheme might nominate it for an award.   That happened in this case.   The auditor had commented “If I were getting solar PV in my home, this is the company I would use”.   It’s a very small company, which otherwise wouldn’t be putting itself up for something like this.   Well done, Ecohill.”

Ecohill achieved a zero in their REAL audit, which is the best mark obtainable, putting them in the top 10% of solar panel installers in the UK for customer service.  The company work with a number of well known local clients including Colchester Zoo and Rose Builders as well as many consumer customers who wanted panels fitted on their home. 

To find about more about Ecohill visit www.ecohill.co.uk or call Dean on 01206 212825.