Solar energy sector heats up for AceOn

A SOLIHULL company is targeting growth in the sustainable energy sector by focusing on opportunities available through solar panel manufacture.

AceOn Solar, part of AceOn Battery Technology, is supporting its strategy with a programme of research and development into portable energy products such as solar modules, solar application systems and solar power systems.

The company has now gained recognition for its work by being shortlisted in the regional finals of the Take One Small Step competition, run by Barclays. It is aiming to build on this recognition so it can grow its market presence.

If it were to win the competition, the firm would receive prize money of £50,000, which is then invested into growing the business.

Mark Thompson, owner of the firm, said: “I have always had an instinct to develop and sell. I had a product I was proud of and wanted to enter the competition to help get funding to give me the opportunity to get the product to the market.

“The money will help us to tweak the product so it is at its very best and then we can use the funds to take the product to the worldwide market, as soon as possible.”

To win the prize money finalists must attract public votes in support of their idea. They are therefore encouraged to enlist help from family, friends, colleagues and customers, even their local community.

Travers Clarke-Walker, product and marketing director of Barclays Business, said: “This competition is about giving a boost to Great Britain’s businesses, which really are the engine room of our economy. It’s about finding – and rewarding – great businesses or those with a great business idea, and giving them a fantastic opportunity to get their message out to millions of people.”