A solar installations company is set for a date with a dragon after landing a place in the final of a national awards scheme.

Shrewsbury-based Go Green Systems was selected as the company to represent the Shropshire Star in the Local Business Accelerators business growth scheme earlier this year.

It then went on to come out on top in the regional award, after being recognised for its customer service to place it at the top of the pile in the West Midlands.

Now Go Green is heading for a final showdown with 13 other businesses from across the country at an awards ceremony in London on October 15.

It will see one company come out on top after a judging process that included Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden, who will also provide mentoring to the winning business.

Another company will also be recognised in another category which is the subject of a public vote, and Go Green are now hoping to encourage local people to vote for them by visiting www.newspapersoc.org.uk/local-business-accelerators-the-peoples-choice.


Jonathan Bareham, from Go Green, said: "Winning, and getting Deborah Meaden and her contacts to help us, could absolutely transform Go Green Systems.

"We have a little business, and with all our awards we could take what we are achieving and put it anywhere in the country, by working with local businesses, charities and the community."

The company has won awards in the past, including a major accolade from Which? magazine, and focuses on customer service and quality to win projects.

But Go Green's team, which also includes Ben McDonald and Tom Smith, has also created a number of bespoke projects including a timber ground mounted solar PV system which fits into conservation areas.

While the public has taken some convincing over the potential of solar energy, Mr Bareham said that was as a consequence of fluctuating feed-in tariffs and inconsistency, but that the potential for a single big name in the industry remains ripe.

"It's all to do with consumer confidence," he said. "If we get too many horror stories people clam up.

"There seems to be a steady flow of inquiries. We want to get some consistency into the work.

"We are pretty optimistic, but what the industry needs is consistency. We are trying to promote the work we do, promote the quality aspect, and people are starting to ask the right questions of the industry."

Go Green has also been helping local charities, including helping to collect £300 for Shrewsbury Food Bank after Shrewsbury Marathon, and £210 to Shropshire Wildlife Trust in commission after the trust agreed to display promotional materials for Go Green at its Shrewsbury headquarters.

www.gogreensystems.co.uk/