Innovative solar set- up generating universal interest
RED Balloon has paid $ 43,200 for breaching new consumer laws by charging some credit card customers “excessive” surcharges when they paid online.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said the online trader, which sells “experiences” such as skydiving, wine tours and cooking classes, charged four customers excessive surcharges in March and June this year.
New excessive payment laws have applied to “large businesses” — which includes Red Balloon — since September last year and to all other Australian businesses since September this year.
Following an ACCC investigation, Red Balloon has since dropped its payment surcharges. KOGAN chief executive Ruslan Kogan has reassured investors the business will benefit, rather than suffer, from the arrival of Amazon in Australia.
As a positive trading update sent Kogan shares to a threeweek high, Mr Kogan told the annual general meeting Amazon would provide another platform for his online retail empire, which sells electronics, general merchandise, travel deals and insurance.
He said online retail was still under- represented in Australia compared with other major developed economies, accounting for about 7.5 per cent of the Aussie retail market.
He said Amazon would “undoubtedly bring more shoppers online” and Kogan. com would benefit from an additional platform, just as it had from eBay and TradeMe. A PORTABLE energy system developed in Townsville is gaining recognition for use around Australia, in developing countries and by the military.
The Portable Power Supply system which combines solar panels and batteries to provide lightweight systems which can be taken into remote areas, used in disaster relief or simply around the home to reduce power costs was developed by Townsville company Solar Relief.
The company is an exhibitor in a solar expo being held at the Townsville City Council forecourt from 9am to 1pm today.
Solar Relief founder Trent Small said the use of the systems in Fiji last year in the aftermath of damage caused by Cyclone Winifred raised the attention of agencies including the United Nations.
Mr Small said they recently won an Energy Globe Award from the United Nations because of their work in Fiji and had been invited to attend the next awards in Iran in January.
“Our recognition is growing. We are selling the Portable Power Supply units around Australia and into PNG where they are being used to power remote medical facilities,” Mr Small said.
“We are also working with the ADF on providing solutions for their power requirements.”
The systems cost from $ 7000 and higher, depending on capacity and battery storage.
Mr Small said they were working with other Townsville companies on complementary products including a hydroponic growing kit, providing 12- month interest free payment options and on the development battery systems.
Solar Relief was established about five years ago.
The company won the Townsville Chamber of Commerce’s Business Solutions award in 2016 and an innovation award in the Far North Queensland Field Days in 2015.
During an Eco Fiesta event in Townsville, radio station 4TOFM ran a live broadcast for a day using one of the Portable Power Supply units.
Australian Solar Council and Energy Storage Council is staging the expo to highlight the latest developments in the industry.
The Smart Energy Jobs and Business Expo brings together experts in all areas of the energy revolution including energy experts, large and small scale solar and storage manufacturers, investors and local government officials.