27th Aug 2014 | Andrew
5 Ways To Prep Your Place For Spring
The winter freeze has just about come to an end and now that spring is upon us, there’s (almost) no excuse to roll up your sleeves and get busy around your home. Here are 5 ways to blow off the dust of winter and prepare your place for spring and the warmer months! 1. Breathe Easy With Clean Air Now that the weather is heating up, chances are you’ll soon be reaching for the remote of your air-conditioning unit. The only problem is that most units lay dormant all throughout winter, collecting plenty of dust, germs and allergens in the process. Before using your air-con, clean the exterior
18th Aug 2014 | Andrew
New Solar Panel Tech Changing The Way You Charge
(The above photo courtesy of the Daily Telegraph) Innovation in solar power technology seems to be constant, with fantastic new ideas and devices challenging the way we use the sun’s infinite energy in our daily lives. While we’re often hearing about international solar energy breakthroughs, a young Australian has captured attention with new technology that has plenty of potential. Joseph Giorgio, a student at Wollongong University’s Intelligent Polymer Research Institute has been working on a solar panel unlike the ones we’re accustomed to today. Lightweight and paper-thin, the panels are
7th Aug 2014 | Andrew
Solar Power Investment In Australia Waning
Recurrent Energy, one of the largest solar power plant developers from the US, has recently announced the closure of its Australian office, citing uncertainty over the Renewable Energy Target (RET) as a major factor in their decision. ‘Recurrent is slowing down their investment in the Australian market pending the outcome of RET and will manage it from [the] USA’ said Colin Liebmann, Recurrent Energy project development manager in Australia. Only recently Recurrent Energy announced that it had a number of large-scale solar PV projects in the pipeline for Oz, worth $3b in potential investments
11th Jul 2014 | Andrew
iHeat HWS
So, you’re building or renovating a new home or commercial site – this might be your own property, or you’ve been commissioned to do it as a Tradie, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you’re on the hunt for a compact and efficient water heater. For one reason or another, solar hot water is off the list, but it’s still really important that you find a unit that’s super economical, yet strong enough to keep things steamy… Well, we think we’ve got just what you’re looking for – say hello to i-Heat – Solargain’s own continuous flow gas hot water system! What is i-Heat? Manufactured by
3rd Jul 2014 | Andrew
Donkey Power! – Solar Power Meets Donkeys In Turkey
Were you able to make any sense of the title on this latest blog? Reading over it, we’d forgive you for thinking we’ve gone a little wacky, although arguably the idea of attaching solar panels to donkeys in order to generate electricity is quite an eccentric concept on its own. But it’s working. Cut-to provincial Turkey, where an increasing number of sheep and goat herders are adopting new technology amusingly named ‘plug-and-play donkey’ by the solar panel company Ser-Gün. The devices are designed to be carried by the donkeys over long journeys into the countryside, providing farmers and