| Number 6 - July 2007 |
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Scorcher is our newsletter, with feature articles, special offers, topical links and feedback from you, the members.
So please send us any comments, news articles, stories and pictures of projects, and help make this an interesting noticeboard and forum. Thanks |
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New Suncharga 130  Chris now makes the larger Suncharga 130 folding camping panels at our Melbourne workshop, using BP Solar's 65 watt solar modules. All the Suncharga models are made here in Australia, using quality solar panels, and Plasmatronics PR regulators. The Suncharga 130 is ideal for people going camping, and wanting to run a fridge or freezer, anywhere in Australia. The amount of power it delivers will also run a few lights and a radio, or phone charger when required. The Sunchargers come with an optional tough, padded canvas bag that protects the panels from bumps and rain. The bags are manufactured in Melbourne by InFront Camping, who include a thick padded doona lining, and have a reputation for making all sorts of robust camping gear. We usually have most models in stock, but if not, just ask Chris when he can have one ready for you. Winter shop hours same as last year  Winter shop hours at Burwood store are 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, and 10 am to 2 pm Saturdays. Shop times for Sunshine Coast store are 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, and Saturdays by appointment. Some people prefer to shop for their solar requirements in the relaxed atmosphere of a Saturday, rather than during the week. Let us be part of your whole family's sustainable future, starting right now. Shop hours at our Burwood shop are Monday to Friday - 10 till 4pm, Saturdays from 10 to 2pm. Tel: (03) 9808 7337 Shop hours at our Sunshine Coast shop are Monday to Friday - 8 till 4pm, Saturdays by appointment. Tel: (07) 5448 8304 Outside of these times you can leave us a message, or send an email. New Solar Lord Evacuated tubes Solazone has now installed the first of its Solar Lord Evacuated Tube hot water services, at a newly renovated property in Burwood. This 300 litre system has a single u-tube collector to heat the water for a family of 4. It is expected to give really good performance during the winter as well as the summer. The system includes an electric booster element to ensure really hot water all year round.  This neat solar evacuated tube collector is one of the highest performing in its class. The installers are seen here fitting the glass tubes over the copper u-tubes. No safety harnesses are required as the roof is fully fenced just below the photo. Installation is relatively simple, and usually takes about three hours. New staff member - Lisa Solazone are pleased to announce the appointment of a terrific new head of accounts in Queensland office. In a few short weeks this dynamo of energy has cleaned up the mess which was our accounts section, and started a completely new set of books for the new financial year. As an example of just how dedicated Lisa is, here is a photo of her waiting at the Maroochy airport to fly to Melbourne, after a spontaneous decision that "she neded to go and sort them out down there"  We welcome Lisa to the Solazone team, and look forward to having a great working relationship with her. (That means lots of fun times as well, the first being "Christmas in July" at Surfair, next week.) New Electric Roller Series  Solazone is pleased to announce a new series of low voltage remote-operated pool blanket rollers for domestic and small commercial pools This new range of 24 volt rollers will be phased in to replace the existing 12 volt models as current stocks run down. There are many new features on the new electric rollers that make them more user-friendly, safer, stronger, lighter, more stable, and less expensive. There are also several optional features that may be fitted to any of the new roller range at extra cost. These include a remote-operated pool-side light, a safety alarm to warn of intrusion into the pool zone, and a safety cut-out for the roller motor if someone falls into the pool. The first model to be released is for rectangular domestic and retirement village pools, up to 15 metres long. The roller can be easily moved into position and locked in place, for easy closing and opening the pool. Further details are available from Ernest. We have no information published on these rollers yet, as they are so new. Solar Salt Chlorinator There is a new model solar salt chlorinator just released, that is primarily designed to work with the Solazone Solar Pool Filtration System. It is wired in-between the pumping maximiser and the solar pump, and uses virtually no current, as it acts like a capacitor in series with the pump. The advantage is that now you can have the pool sanitised, as well as filtered and solar heated, all using the energy provided by the solar array, with no power bills. (you know how expensive a pool is to run)  The third-generation of our solar pool filtration system is currently being developed. We will be seeking interested parties for distribution, already established in the pool industry. |
 Solazone participates every year in the Caboolyure Farm Fantastic in S.E. Queensland. It's a terrific opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, and help them to solve energy problems using solar and wind. From last year's show we met Les and Dawn from Mt Mee Coffee, who are growing their own wonderful coffee, and are now drying it in a solar greenhouse, prior to roasting the beans. If you get the chance to buy some of their coffee, expect the best that you have ever tasted. Last year we also met the wonderful people from Bio Magic, and now resell their highly useful product at our stores, and on this website. Be sure to visit us on the stand if you have the opportunity this year. The show goes for three days - friday, saturday and sunday - 19th to 21st July - and you can be sure you'll find lots of things to interest you, and lots of bargains.  BP Solar must be doing something right, as it's Solar Energiser kits are selling like hot cakes !   Since the government announced a doubling of the PVRP rebate to a maximum of $8000, the interest shown by people wanting to generate their own power has been remarkable. In many cases the cost of covering the entire current household power bill is huge, so many people are opting for 1 to 2 kilowatt systems, and looking for ways to reduce their excessive power use. Not only the environment wins - the housholders save energy and money by knowing where their power is being used, and how much they are actually generating each day. Mostly, any excess power generated by the solar system is credited against what you use at night, but the real gain is that overall your bill goes down because you are aware of waste, and what your power is being used for.  Each BP Solar Energiser comes complete with this remote Solar Sight display that tells you the amount of power being generated, as well as the kilos of greenhouse gases being saved each day. For details of the inverters used, see the Grid Inverters page of this website Yes - it's been a long time happening, but we have the first of a series of solar powered lawn mowers available right now. The model pictured below is the latest new yellow one, released at the Solazone Stand at the Werribee Waterwise Expo last month. The mower is quiet, makes no smoke or fumes, requires no oiling or filling with fuel, and has a simple push button start.  Features • Very quiet • Virtually no maintenance • Easy push botton start (every time) • Lightweight and easy to use • Cuts well - plenty of power • Can be used with or without catcher • Recharges for next use for free by solar power 
(Saving over $180) In the next few weeks we expect to have available, very limited numbers of
Sealand 1/2 pint flush toilet  Composting toilets have come a long way, with new composting toilet systems from Sun-mar in Canada. There is a large range of composting toilets available right now, suitable for home, mobile and marine use, that use the Sealand 1/2 pint flush toilet. This is preferred by some people, as there is no view directly into the composting chamber. This one was captured on camera at the Solazone Stand at the recent World Environment Day Expo at Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast. See more details here |
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