Worcester triumphed over tough competition from two other finalists to secure the top spot in the green product class with its Greenskies solar series, which is designed to complement both new and existing heating and hot water systems and can provide around half a home’s hot water requirements over the course of a year.

Since its launch in 2005, Worcester’s Greenskies series has quickly become a firm favourite with installers throughout the UK with many choosing to install Greenskies solar panels in their own homes to help reduce fuel bills and CO2 emissions.

Following further development of the product range in 2007, the current Greenskies series now includes portrait and landscape versions of a new, high performance flat plate collector - the FKT and FKC series. Both panels have the ability to site either on or in roof, also available is a wall mounting bracketing system allowing the panels to be sited almost anywhere.

To complete the Greenskies offer, Worcester also introduced indirect mains pressure twin coil solar cylinders, which are available in four sizes - 180, 210, 250 and 300 litres - and are suitable for a wide variety of installation requirements.

OFTEC added the Green Product of the Year category to the Awards for 2008 to coincide with its plans to move into the market for renewable technologies.

The Association has recently announced its intention to introduce new registration categories to cover solar and heat pump installations and is currently awaiting a decision on its application to become a Certification Body for the Government’s new Microgeneration Accreditation Scheme.

Martyn Bridges, director of marketing and technical support for Worcester, attended the Gala dinner and presentation ceremony held in London on 3rd October to accept the award on behalf of the entire company.

He said: “We are delighted to be the first manufacturer to receive the Green Product of the Year Award for Greenskies, as we are completely committed to the continual development of renewable technologies to benefit the environment and offer homeowners a good deal on their heating and hot water costs.

“As fuel prices continue to rise, there has never been a better time to start harnessing sustainable energy solutions to not only reduce carbon emissions but also to help combat the rising cost of fuel bills. The Government has also set targets to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050 and has also stated that by 2016 it wants all new homes to be carbon neutral; Greenskies is exactly the sort of technology that can help to achieve these aims.”