solarZero Best Small Business Award 2023
This category recognises business excellence within the renewable energy market segment. It celebrates businesses that have developed and grown whilst making a positive contribution to society, the industry and all stakeholders – customers, employees, and shareholders.
Winner: Greener Solar
Greener was founded by Hamish Lee, a passionate engineer and environmentalist from Hawke’s Bay, NZ in 2018. His commitment to solar energy and the positive environmental impacts it has, saw him installing solar systems from the Himalayan mountains to the African deserts.
We’re serious about what we do, but we’re also a super friendly bunch, dedicated to our clients, the environment and doing a great job.
We are based in Hawkes Bay and service our local area from Central Hawkes Bay out to the coast and as far north as Mahia and Gisborne.
Greener’s business development has happened organically through positive word of mouth referrals and working with some wonderful clients and partners who share our values and beliefs. Greener Solar has whakapapa to Ngati Kahungunu through our founder Hamish Lee, and brings an intergenerational approach to our business thinking long term and the values of Kaitiakitanga.
We put our best foot forward through our products and services with our all inhouse team of designers and installers to provide a seamless solution. We have supported our local community through working with providers working on energy hardship and community investment. During 2020 and 2021 Greener undertook a solar installation programme with Manaaki Energy. The project involved community engagement and was Maori led bringing our shared values together. HERE
We have continued to work with our community working on Kaianga Ora housing projects and with the Hastings District Council. During cyclone Gabriele our team assisted those affected by delivering generators and supporting local farmers.
To achieve these outcomes Greener has focused on technology solutions to ensure our delivery is seamless and as efficient as possible. We have aimed to setup our business to be scalable and are looking to expand and grow over the coming years.
We engage directly with our stakeholders and have worked to develop the relationships working together and using our in house team to ensure the communication from our designers and office staff out to our installers translates to great outcomes for our customers. The strength of our relationships with iwi and community energy advocates has helped our business grow. We will continue to build on these relationships and strengthen our ties to the community.
Being a small business and team we are all hands on deck for all our projects and the continuity of our team helps us meet and exceed our clients expectations. We set our standards high and will continue to work to ensure we keep those going as we expand.
We see our areas for growth being in community projects and commercial solar projects helping local businesses transition to renewable energy with a focus on farming, horticulture and viticulture.
