Solar thermal and photovoltaic products from Schueco UK swept the renewables category board at the 35th National Home Improvement Council Awards, taking not only first place in the Award for Best Practice in a Renewable Energy System, but also featuring in the two Runners Up Awards and the Highly Commended Award in the same category.

NHIC Awards are highly regarded within the industry and the annual Awards event is seen as a prestigious one. It took place at the end of last year at One Whitehall Place, London and was hosted by the NHIC President, The Rt Hon Nick Raynsford, MP and the NHIC Chairman, Martin Orrill of British Gas. All the Awards were presented by The Rt Hon John Healey, MP, Minister of State for Housing & Planning.

First place in the Best Practice/Renewable Energy Category went to SolarTech for its Northamptonshire Fuel Poverty Scheme which makes use of both Schueco solar panels and Schueco photovoltaic modules. The scheme aims to improve SAP ratings while simultaneously helping vulnerable home-owners living on a range of benefits to reduce their energy bills.

The judges said: “Giving vulnerable and low-income families access to renewable technology and allowing them to reap the benefits in lower energy costs is admirable“. They concluded that the scheme had been 'a huge success in alleviating fuel poverty and has proved a model for other local authorities seeking to offer assistance to those with physical or social issues'.

The two Runners Up in the category were Freesource Energy and Microgeneration Ltd; the Highly Commended Award went to Revolution Power. All three entries were, like the overall winner, based on the use of Schueco solar energy products.