Eight19, the Cambridge-based developers of the innovative IndiGo pay-as-you-go personal solar electricity system, has received the Climate Week Award 2012 for “Best Initiative for a Small or Medium-Sized Business” at a ceremony in Lancaster House, London.
Eight19 received the award for the development of its Indigo pay-as-you-go solar technology which consists of a battery, a solar panel, lights and a phone charging device, designed to bring affordable renewable energy to off-grid communities. The solar-initiative aims to stimulate social and economic development by providing those in the poorest environments living off-grid, with affordable energy to power lighting, internet connections and electronic devices.
The event marked the launch of Climate Week; Britain’s biggest climate change campaign. The award was presented by Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Executive Director, from headline partner of Climate Week, Tesco.
Simon Bransfield-Garth, CEO of Eight19 commented: “Eight19 is honoured and thrilled to be the recipient of the Climate Week Award for best initiative by a Small and Medium Sized Business. Indigo aims to provide sustainable solar power to off-grid communities in Africa, eliminating the carbon footprint of kerosene lamps and providing access to high quality light.
“The Climate Week Award is an important recognition of this work and the progress that we have made since launching in September. We have already received enquiries for installations from around the world and hope that this prestigious award will help us to provide clean and safe energy to many more people currently living off grid.”
The Climate Week Awards are now in their second year and aim to “celebrate the UK’s most innovative, effective, and ambitious organisations, communities and individuals and their outstanding efforts to combat climate change.” Around 500,000 people are expected to attend some 3,000 events during climate week to raise money, awareness and support for sustainable living initiatives.
