A CORNISH renewable energy firm has struck gold on the national stage, winning two major awards for its work in solar power and apprentice development.

ZLC Energy, based in Liskeard, recently claimed the National Solar PV Project of the Year and National Apprentice of the Year at the 2026 National Energy Efficiency Awards, while also finishing runner-up in the PV Installer and Contractor of the Year category.

Director Mark Smith said the double triumph was recognition of the standards the Heathlands Road-based business had worked towards since launching in 2012.

“Winning at national level confirms what we have been working towards since we started in 2012, which is delivering complex, integrated energy projects to the highest standard,” he said.

“This recognition belongs to the whole ZLC team, from our engineers and installers to our apprentices, and to clients like RJAH whose trust made it possible. We are proud to be standing among the best in the UK.”

The awards, held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, put the Cornish company among the country’s leading renewable energy specialists.

Its biggest project success came through a major installation at Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Shropshire, where ZLC Energy delivered a scheme designed to slash electricity bills and cut carbon emissions.

The project combines 3MW of solar photovoltaic panels across suitable rooftops and car parks, 650kWh of battery storage and a bespoke energy management system.

The results are significant. The system is expected to offset around 75 per cent of the hospital’s grid electricity, save £750,000 a year and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 600 tonnes annually.

The figures underline the potential of combining solar generation and battery storage to help major public sector organisations tackle soaring energy demands while reducing their environmental impact.

For the Liskeard business, the award is also a major endorsement of the technical expertise being delivered by a Cornish company on projects serving customers across the UK. However, it was not just engineering excellence that earned ZLC Energy national recognition.

Apprentice Raman Mustafa was named National Apprentice of the Year, rewarding his professional development and growing contribution to complex energy resilience projects.

His success shines a spotlight on the people behind the renewable energy industry's expansion, with demand for skilled workers continuing to grow and a shortage of qualified installers presenting a challenge for the sector.

Developing new talent is therefore vital to ensuring the industry can meet the demand for cleaner, more efficient energy systems.

ZLC Energy’s double victory demonstrates its commitment to delivering major projects while investing in the next generation of skilled professionals.

Established in 2012, the company specialises in integrated renewable energy solutions, combining solar power, battery storage and intelligent energy management to help commercial and public sector organisations reduce costs and emissions.

With two national titles and a runner-up finish secured in one night, the Liskeard firm believe they have delivered a powerful statement of intent.