A Belfast plumbing and heating company has made a major breakthrough by securing an order for its innovative energy-saving solar device from an international manufacturer.

Willis Renewable Energy said its Solasyphon water heating system, which was launched last year, was now to be supplied to Apricus, which is headquartered in Connecticut.

The contract win from Apricus was announced by Tracy Meharg, Invest NI’s managing director of innovation and capability development, during a visit to the north Belfast company.

Willis, which is based at Dargan Crescent in Belfast Harbour Estate, has been assisted by Invest NI through R&D programmes to develop Solasyphon, and through marketing assistance to export Solasyphon worldwide.

Ms Meharg said: “Willis is an excellent example of how a long-established business focused primarily on the local marketplace can re-invent itself and become an international enterprise through investment in innovation.

“This strategically important breakthrough in the US is very timely given the commitment of President Obama to invest heavily in measures that will reduce substantially the nation’s over-dependence on fossil fuels.”

Ms Meharg said that Solasyphon offered homeowners a cost-effective means of harnessing solar energy for water heating.

John Willis, the company’s managing director, said: “Apricus is a great starting point for us in what is potentially a huge market.

“The contract follows initial contacts which led to an invitation to make a presentation on Solasyphon to the company’s distributors at its sales convention in Connecticut last November.

“Feedback from the presentation was very encouraging. The first orders followed swiftly.”

The main selling point of Solasyphon is that it can be fitted to existing water heaters without expensive outlay on installing a new boiler.