AR Power recognised among leading UK commercial solar contractors
Posted by: electime 29th July 2026
North East based commercial solar specialist AR Power has been recognised among the UK’s leading renewable energy contractors after being shortlisted for Contractor of the Year at the prestigious Solar & Storage Live Awards 2026, highlighting the company’s continued expansion and growing influence within the commercial solar market.
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 PV installation for the Percy Hedley Foundation. 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, demonstrating the role commercial solar can play in helping organisations achieve measurable financial and environmental benefits.
The recognition comes during a period of sustained growth for AR Power, which has established itself as one of the UK’s leading commercial solar providers, delivering renewable energy solutions for organisations across the public and private sectors.
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.”
With a strong North East presence and an expanding national footprint, AR Power works with NHS trusts, universities, local authorities, manufacturers and commercial businesses throughout the UK. Recent contract wins, including a major solar installation for leading garden products manufacturer Hozelock at its Birmingham facility, further demonstrate the company’s growing reach beyond its regional base.
The company’s growing industry profile follows its recognition as Indirect Supplier of the Year (FY25) by global manufacturing group Komatsu, after successfully delivering a large-scale solar PV installation at the company’s Birtley manufacturing facility, with the installation expected to reduce the site’s carbon emissions by almost 370,000kg of CO₂e each year while generating annual energy cost savings of just under £400,000.
As businesses continue to seek greater energy resilience, lower operating costs and reduced carbon emissions, demand for commercial solar installations has continued to grow. To support its next phase of growth, the company recently announced a number of senior leadership changes. With Chris Balmer appointed as Managing Director, Luke Lobo promoted to Technical Director, while former Technical Director Mark Dunville has transitioned into a board advisory role, continuing to provide strategic guidance and industry expertise.
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.
As organisations across the UK continue to invest in cleaner energy infrastructure, the company remains well positioned to support clients across manufacturing, healthcare, education, local government and the wider commercial sector in achieving their sustainability and energy efficiency goals.
