Solar sponsor of Lisa Blair’s Antarctic circumnavigation wins award

by Trish Chapallaz on 23 Nov 2017 A unique business providing solar systems for the marine sector has been awarded Australian ‘Retail Business of the Year’ at the prestigious Optus My Business Awards during a black-tie awards dinner on Friday, 10 November at The Westin Grand Ballroom Sydney.

Solar 4 RVs is the Australian importer of the ultra-thin, lightweight Solbian solar panels that prove their strength on racing yachts such as The Maserati Multi 70 skippered by Giovanni Soldini which is fitted with eight SP72 ALLinONE solar panels.

Solbian Italy and Solar 4 RVs jointly provided eight SolbianFlex solar panels and eight Genasun boost solar charge controllers for Lisa Blair’s zero carbon emission yacht 'Climate Action Now'. They will be closely following her and her all-women crew in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart this year. They are also sponsoring two Australians, Dylan Jones and Sam Weir, who are attempting to row across the Atlantic in the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge in support of the 'Make a Wish' foundation.

The judges selected Solar 4 RVs / Solar 4 Boats from seven Finalists as an industry leader that demonstrates innovation and exemplifies best practice and excellence in customer service. The My Business Awards team contacted Solar 4 RVs back in in August to advise they had been nominated and they were subsequently shortlisted as a finalist.

The family owned and operated company provides advice, engineered design solutions, support and premium products to over 300 businesses across Australia as well as the public.

Solar 4 RVs offer the largest range of thin, lightweight solar panels in Australia including their own RADpower brand made with A Grade GENIII SunPower cells and an ETFE top layer. Ethylene-Tetra-Fluoro-Ethylene is a high-strength fluorine polymer that is corrosion and stain resistant, non-stick self-cleaning, and retains its clarity (and therefore light transmittance) ensuring longer service life. It will not discolour or degrade from exposure to environmental pollution, UV light, harsh chemicals or extreme temperature variations. The textured surface offers an extra layer of protection and robustness and provides a small increase in efficiency due to its anti-reflective properties, which means more light passes to the cells.

Trish Chapallaz and her engineer husband Phil launched the business in 2014. “We have established strong relationships with boat builders, repairers and marine electricians” says Trish. Phil adds “We supplied 15 Solbian 125W Solbian’s for Tony Longhurst’s fully-electric catamaran 'Kato'. The black flexible solar panels were installed during the boat building process so they could be rebated into the deck in three rows of five panels. No junction boxes or cabling is visible as the panels were supplied with solder tabs underneath the panel.”

Tony, a two-time Bathurst 1000 winner and owner of The Boat Works in Coomera had the luxury vessel 20m in length and about 8.6m wide built by the team at Noosa Marine.

“The reputation of flexible solar panels has been compromised with the release of many cheap products of inferior quality.” Phil says “Our products are more expensive but it is worth spending a little more for quality. Buying cheap flexible solar panels can actually be very costly if what you receive fails quickly. Buyer Guides are available here.

The Optus My Business Awards, which covers 28 categories, acknowledges best practice within and achievements in innovation, corporate social responsibility and workplace culture.

Adam Zuchetti, editor of My Business, said Australian SMEs are at the leading edge of innovation and customer service excellence, as represented by this year’s Optus My Business Awards finalists. “My Business is extremely proud to showcase those companies and their leaders that are thriving by pushing the boundaries and challenging the status quo across a diverse spectrum of industries,”

Mr Zuchetti said. “Determining this year’s winners was no easy feat, with the judging panel working through an outstanding calibre of entries and the highest submission rate for the awards to date. On behalf of the My Business team, I would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners.”