More than 350 executives, politicians, and campaigners from the UK's green business community were at hand to see Cambridge-based Eight19 scoop two prestigious awards.

Eight19 was named ‘Small Business of the Year’ and also won the ‘Renewable Energy Project of the Year’ award at the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards at London's Royal Garden Hotel on July 4th, for its work on the Indigo pay-as-you-go solar system.

Indigo, which provides clean and affordable electricity to off-grid rural communities, was commended by the judges for its commitment to the overarching evaluation criteria of ‘innovation and applicability.’

By combining mobile and solar technology, the Indigo solution provides the benefits of solar with the affordability of pay-as-you-go phones delivering energy, health and economic benefits for rural communities in developing countries.

Indigo combines a sustainable technology with a sustainable business model to deliver impact at scale and is having a transformative impact on the lives of families in Kenya, Zambia, Malawi and South Sudan.

Eight19 CEO, Simon Bransfield-Garth said: “Eight19 is honoured to have been recognised as both Renewable Project of the Year and Small Business of the Year at the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards. The Indigo pay as you go solar product was recognised by the judges for its role in bringing affordable power to rural Africa. BusinessGreen is becoming increasingly regarded as an authority in sustainable energy and Eight19 is delighted to be recognised in this way.”

Indigo is building on the recognition recently gained at Rio+20, winning a World Business Development Award and being named as part of the Global Sustainia100.

• PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS: Simon Bransfield-Garth