Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December

Unique marine solar specialist wins 2019 Australian 'Energy Business of the Year' Award

by Trish Chapallaz 4 Dec 2019 09:38 GMT
eArche lightweight panels on dodger of yacht © solar4rvs.com.au

Lightweight solar specialist, Solar 4 RVs, (incorporating Solar 4 Boats and Solar 4 Industry) has won two awards at the MyBusiness Awards on Friday 15 November at the Star Event Centre in Sydney.

First, their innovations were acknowledged with the 'Energy Business of the Year' Award then at the end of the evening co-owner Trish was announced as the Australian 'Businesswoman of the Year' from ten finalists in the running for this title.

The founders and owners, Phil and Trish Chapallaz, said, "we are delighted to receive these prestigious Awards and to be recognised for our sector leadership in providing thin solar panels for marine and other off-grid mobile applications across Australia." Launched in 2014, the family-owned and operated company supports both businesses and the public.

"With technology rapidly evolving, we continuously explore, and invest, to stay at the forefront of what is most suitable for vehicles and vessels including boats, yachts, ferries, kayaks, houseboats and pontoons" says co-owner and engineer Phil. Solar 4 RVs stock the largest range of flexible solar panels in Australia and is the only company in Australia offering a design and advice service as well as engineered solutions and support for boat builders / repairers, marine electricians and aftermarket suppliers.

Specialist support for the marine sector

Solar 4 RVs has been supporting the marine sector for nearly six years. They provided eight Solbian solar panels and eight Genasun boost solar charge controllers for Lisa Blair's zero carbon emission yacht 'Climate Action Now' in her Antarctic circumnavigation. They also sponsored two Australians with solar on their kayak rowing across the Atlantic in the Talisker Whiskey Challenge.

Fifteen Solbian lightweight solar panels were installed onto the 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 Longhurst, 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.

Two solar-electric tourist ferries were each fitted with 18 thin, lightweight solar panels onto the canopies to provide whisper quiet service on the Swan River ensuring zero water or air pollution.

In Borneo traditional tourist vessels were fitted with 20 x 160W lightweight eArche solar panels to silently power air conditioners whilst river cruising to see the orangutans in their natural environment.

Thin and lightweight yet strong and durable for the toughest ocean environment

eArche solar panels are the cutting edge in lightweight solar panel technology with glass-fibre reinforced composite polymers similar to aircraft windows and a 25 year performance guarantee. Development of the new waterproof composite polymers and panel structure was accelerated by funding of $3.3M from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to achieve the same durability as conventional solar panels.

They have IEC61215 certification which defines requirements for PV modules suitable for long-term outdoor operation. They are rated 2400 pascals for wind and 2400 pascals for load plus hail tested with ice stones of 35mm diameter and 200g mass at 39.5m per sec so able to handle tough ocean condition.

The main advantage for vessels is how lightweight, thin and flexible panels are compared to heavy, thick rigid framed solar panels. Both the Solbian and eArche brand solar panels are only 2mm thin and weigh under 2kg for 100W. Both have a five year product warranty.

New bi-facial solar is a win for the marine environment

2FACE is the first semi-flexible solar panel in the world made with double-sided technology allowing greater power generation. It is a game-changer in that it is designed to absorb radiation not only from the front but also from the underside thanks to its F-HJT cell. This means reflection onto the underside of the 2mm thin panel will significantly boost energy harvest. The transparent backsheet of conductive oxide (TCO) allows reflected light to reach the rear of the HTJ cell, producing over 30% more electricity than single-sided panels.

Multi-award winning company

Solar 4 RVs multiple award wins highlight their commitment and expertise to do things differently. The latest two awards come off the back of winning the 2018 Australian Business Awards for Eco Innovation and being ranked in the top 50 innovative companies in the Australian SMART100 list.

Solar 4 RVs also received the 2018 APAC Excellence Award and they won the Optus MyBusiness Award in 2017 for Australian Retail Business of the Year and in 2015 they won Sustainability Initiative of the Year.

Related Articles

Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Series at Midland
In retrospect a strange experience to have on one's day off Fifteen boats ventured out to Midland Sailing Club to sail in conditions only those with sufficient mettle can tolerate on Sunday 18th May. Posted today at 6:36 pm
Yachting World Dayboats at Bosham
Racers discover a part of the harbour the home fleet rarely visit The fourteen-boat fleet that gathered for this year's Bosham SC Yachting World Dayboat Open meeting over the weekend of the 17th and 18th May enjoyed champagne sailing conditions. Four visiting boats joined the home fleet. Posted today at 6:26 pm
CIC Normandy Channel Race day 3
Another 6 retirements after the entire day in meaty conditions The 16th CIC Normandy Channel Race fleet has spent the entire day navigating meaty conditions. The 25-30 knots of SW'ly wind and heavy seas in the area have made it a real slog to gain access to the Wolf Rock mark. Posted today at 5:26 pm
A Fresh Take on Doublehanded Dinghy Sailing
The Melges 15 delivers high-performance sailing with unmatched accessibility The Melges 15 is redefining what sailors can expect from a modern, doublehanded dinghy. Since its launch, the boat has gained momentum across America and Europe for one simple reason — it delivers high-performance sailing with unmatched accessibility. Posted today at 4:00 pm
Chelmarsh SC visits Dovey SC
Annual weekend away to Aberdyfi Chelmarsh Sailing Club held its annual sailing weekend at Aberdyfi, hosted by Dovey Yacht Club. An event in its 27th year which has become a cherished tradition, offering both racing and camaraderie against the stunning backdrop of the Dyfi estuary. Posted today at 3:03 pm
505s at Hayling
Frankly the top reach required more rugby skills than sailing Ten intrepid teams gazed across Chichester Harbour, under the board-stiff flags flying off the Hayling clubhouse — the wind gods offering early hints of what was in store for the weekend: West-South-Westerly winds at 20-24 knots and a big, steep swell. Posted today at 2:39 pm
RORC Myth of Malham concludes
French mastery and family firepower light up the podium First held in 1958, the Myth of Malham Race has built a rich legacy for more than six decades of offshore racing. The 2025 edition proudly joins the ranks of its most memorable chapters. Posted today at 1:05 pm
Ruffian 23 Ulster Championships
Carrickfergus hosts inaugural event after local fleet resurgence The weekend of 24th - 25th May saw the Inaugural Ruffian 23 Ulster Championships hosted by Carrickfergus Sailing Club. Saturday morning started an overcast day with the wind 15 kts gusting into the late teens/early twenties. Posted today at 12:18 pm
Osprey Scottish and Northern Championship
Hosted by Coniston SC as part of the Toplex / PHG Open Regatta The Osprey Scottish & Northern Champions was hosted by Coniston SC as part of the 2025 Toplex / PHG Coniston Sailing Club Open Regatta on 24th & 25th May 2025. The Ospreys were part of the Fast Handicap fleet of 18 boats. Posted today at 12:07 pm
International sponsor 2025 WLYC 24 Hour Race
The event will take place on 13th-14th September 2025 at Southport Marine Lake West Lancashire Yacht Club (WLYC) is thrilled to announce International yacht paint as the headline sponsor for the 2025 WLYC 24 Hour Race, the UK's premier dinghy sailing endurance event. Posted today at 11:37 am