Alternative approach wins energy award

Busselton business West Australian Alternative Energy received two awards at the South West Small Business Awards on Saturday.

The company was recognised in the innovation and the five-to-10-employees categories.

Owners Sarah and Simon Barclay were ecstatic to receive the awards.

“To be recognised by the wider business community is a great achievement, it shows the hard work by every team member has paid off, ” Mr Barclay said.

The couple said the number and standard of entrants at the awards was very high.

“We didn’t enter with expectations to win, ” they said.

“We entered to bench mark ourselves against the broader business community.

“We operate in a niche market and compete on a national level, so it was interesting to gauge where we are situated at a local level.”

WAAE has eight employees, who pride themselves on depth of industry, technical knowledge, efficient service and commitment to providing a quality product to ensure clients always receive the best solutions.

Mrs Barclay said the business provided alternative energy solutions with the intent of reducing the carbon footprint throughout Australia.

The couple originally established the business several years ago as Simon Barclay Solar Energy, operating in the residential market and made a decision to focus on the commercial sector three years ago.

WAAE recently became the only solar retailer in WA to qualify as a Clean Energy Council-approved retailer. Mr Barclay has been invited to present at this year’s Clean Energy Week.

Dunsborough business Koomal Dreaming also won the Aboriginal business award and the tourism award while Nannup business Pick-a-WooWoo Publishing Group won the micro business award and the 2014 South West Small Business of the Year award.