Washington company recognised as one of UK’s leading commercial solar contractors
A Washington solar specialist has been recognised as one of the UK’s leading renewable energy contractors.
AR Power, based at Parsons Trade Park, in Washington, has been shortlisted for Contractor of the Year at the Solar and Storage Live Awards 2026.
The national awards celebrate excellence across the solar and energy storage industry, recognising organisations that demonstrate technical expertise, innovation, high-quality project delivery and outstanding customer service.
AR Power is a finalist for Contractor of the Year following the successful delivery of a major multi-site solar panel installation for the Percy Hedley Foundation, in Newcastle.
The project involved designing and installing solar systems across specialist education, care and residential facilities, helping the charity reduce energy costs and carbon emissions while supporting its wider sustainability ambitions.
The installation is expected to save more than 51,000kg of CO2 emissions annually, while delivering approximately £43,000 in first-year energy savings.
Chris Balmer, managing director of AR Power, said: "Being shortlisted for Contractor of the Year is a fantastic achievement for AR Power and reflects the expertise, dedication and professionalism of our commercial, technical and operational teams, who consistently deliver complex renewable energy projects safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption for our customers.
“To go on and win would be an outstanding honour, and bringing a national industry award back to the North East would be a proud moment for our business and a testament to the exceptional talent, innovation and engineering expertise that exists across the region.
“It would also provide the perfect start to our 15th anniversary celebrations, marking not only how far AR Power has come over the past decade and a half, but also reinforcing our ambition to continue leading the transition to cleaner, smarter energy solutions for businesses across the UK.”
The company's growing industry profile follows its recognition as Indirect Supplier of the Year by global manufacturing group Komatsu, after successfully delivering a large-scale solar panel installation at the company's Birtley manufacturing facility.
Since its launch almost 15 years ago, AR Power has built a reputation for delivering high-quality commercial renewable energy projects safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption.