Press Release
27 NOVEMBER 2007
TWO AUSTRALIAN COMPANIES ACHIEVE TOP ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACCOLADE
Endless Solar and Hills Solar (a division of Hills Industries) have been recognised for a breakthrough solar hot water system, named GreenPlumbers® Energy Efficient Product of the Year at the 2007 GreenPlumbers® Awards.
The highly efficient evacuated tube system, developed by Endless Solar, and licensed and distributed through Hills Solar, is the only hot water system to be endorsed by Planet Ark.
The GreenPlumbers® Energy Efficient Product of the Year Award was presented to Hills Solar and Endless Solar by Gary Workman, National Manager of Green Plumbers Training and Accreditation, at the 2007 GreenPlumbers® Awards in Melbourne.
The GreenPlumbers® Awards are a national industry showcase for environmentally-conscious products and services and are highly regarded by the plumbing, building and design industries.
Endless Solar is a rapidly growing Australian company specialising in solar products that utilise evacuated tube technology. The design is now exclusively licensed to Hills Solar as part of the environmental initiatives of Hills Industries across Australia and New Zealand.
Endless Solar’s gas-boosted evacuated tube solar hot water system is up to 40% more efficient than the traditional flat plate solar heaters and can save the equivalent greenhouse emissions of a family car every year, or around three tonnes of C02.
“The result is an incredibly efficient system to catch and keep the heat of the sun even in extremely cold areas,” said Stephen Standish, Managing Director of Endless Solar Corporation.
"The system is so efficient that it doesn't require full sunlight and can work on cloudy or even rainy days.
“Endless Solar products are designed by Australians specifically for Australian conditions. This allows for easy installation and maximises heat collection in any part of Australia resulting in greater energy savings and less greenhouse emissions.
“Last year’s sales are conservatively estimated to have a total effect of removing more than 50,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere.
“Current sales projections are likely to more than double last year’s figure over the next financial year,” Stephen said.
Hills Solar Marketing Manager David Johnson said the venture shows Hills Industries has come along way since the launch of Hills Hoist in 1946 – which is still the most environmentally friendly way to dry clothes.
“At Hills Solar we continue to develop products that protect and serve our most important environments – our households, and our planet.
“This solar hot water system, using evacuated tube technology, is a simple solution to a very real modern concern: by embracing this technology it is possible to significantly decrease the impact of a household, without impacting on domestic life” said Mr Johnson.
GreenPlumbers® is an innovative training and accreditation initiative developed by the Master Plumbers’ and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) as the gateway to a ‘green’ plumbing business.
The GreenPlumbers® Awards is the platform upon which the MPMSAA, on behalf of the plumbing industry, acknowledges the contributions made to the environment by individual plumbers and manufacturers.
So far the GreenPlumbers® training program has saved Australia more than 3 billion litres of water, equivalent to 4700 Olympic-sized swimming pools and millions of dollars in energy savings.
To date there are more than 5,500 plumbers representing over 3,300 plumbing businesses that have completed one or more GreenPlumbers® training sessions.
MPMSAA Chief Executive Officer Ray Herbert congratulated the companies on their success.
“Endless Solar and Hills Solar deserve to be commended for this considerable investment to creating real solutions for a sustainable future. The research and development undertaken by Endless Solar, with the support of Hills Solar, has meant that an energy efficient house is a practical reality, with domestic consumption of energy drastically modified without any noticeable interruption to day to day activities.”
Accepting the award, Stephen Standish of Endless Solar said, “It’s a great honour to win this prestigious award. We acknowledge all the support of our partners: Hills Solar, Planet Ark and the commitment of the GreenPlumbers® to setting the agenda for a sustainable lifestyle.
“Endless Solar is also proud to be working in partnership with the GreenPlumbers® on the My Green School program, assisting schools throughout Australia in educating and implementing sustainable energy and resource best practise.”
Stephen says of Hills Solar and Endless Solar’s commitment to sustainability, “We all know about the problems, so it’s wonderful to be part of the solution.”
***********
