Solco Corporate

Solco Ltd. supplies solar energy systems for a broad range of customers, environments and requirements. For domestic, commercial and rural solar panel installation with or without grid connection, see Solco Choice Electric's GridPower™ kits and product catalogue. For solar-powered water pumping for rural and remote community applications, see the range of Sun Mill™ solar pumping solutions.

Our vision is to be Australia's first choice for sustainable energy solutions. In a carbon and water challenged world we are part of the solution - in partnership with the sun.

Solco Ltd. is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange under the ASX code SOO. For investor resources and ASX announcements, see the investors page.

Announcements

Solar Photovoltaic Sales Continue To Drive Growth

Strong Photovoltaic (PV) System demand resulted in sales to customers of $7.89 million during the 3rd quarter driving total sales for the fiscal year to date of $19.33 million, a 73% uplift on the comparable period last fiscal year.

Solco's continued focus on its core wholesale distribution operations (Choice Electric) as well as continuing to rationalise non-core business lines has been instrumental in profitable growth and positive net operating cash flows of $1.04 million for the quarter.

Inventory levels of $4.82 million and cash at bank of $3.47 million allow Solco to continue to provide and purchase in-demand products to service the needs of our customers within the growth driven market sector of renewable energy.

Trading conditions, EBIT margin levels and product appeal to Australian consumers were assisted by:

• continuing discounting of international pricing in foreign currency terms for silicon based PV panels due to reduced European demand;
• modest improvement of AUD$ against other currencies over the quarter, although Solco operates on a fully hedged basis for major international purchases;
• and government sponsored renewable energy rebate initiatives.

The attractiveness of domestic and commercial solar power installations across Australia will continue to be enhanced if PV panel prices continue to fall and black energy costs rise further. This situation may lead to increased competition in the Australian green energy market from new domestic and overseas entrants, especially in light of current difficulties in other sectors and markets. We believe Solco is well positioned within the Australian market to take advantage of this expected growth and combat competitive challenges.

With fallout from the world economic crisis continuing and cohesive long-term government energy polices across all states yet to be delivered, performance growth can not be assured. However, Solco's forward order book and continued projected customer demand continues to be strong.

2009-04-29 17:18:34

Sharp Choice Dealer Conference Proves Successful

On March 13th to 15th, Choice Electric held the second Sharp Solco Choice Electric dealer conference at Sea World Resort on the Gold Coast. The conference was attended by 70 delegates (including staff, suppliers and speakers) and 50 dealers, who represented just about every state in Australia. The conference theme was 'doing business in a changing environment' and brought together some exciting new products and industry news.

To provide accurate information on the solar marketplace to the delegates we had Matthew Warren, CEO of the Clean Energy Council, and Mr Armajot Sigh, the Acting Renewable Energy Regulator from the Office of Renewable Energy Regulator. There was also a very informative presentation on PV arching from Ted Spooner of the University of New South Wales. One of our suppliers, Morningstar, presented our first live webcast PowerPoint information session from their office in the USA. It was a complete success and testament to the power and opportunity offered by our modern industry.

Prizes, including a Fronuis IG 15 and a 42" LCD TV, were given away during the conference. Positive feedback was received from all attendees; however without all of our sponsors (Century Yuasa, Fronius, Unirac, Latronics, and Advance Trident) this event would have not been possible. We also offer our thanks to the major sponsor and our partner in this endeavour, Sharp Corporation. We are looking forward to the next Sharp Solco Choice Electric dealer conference and hope to continue it as an annual tradition. Please check back soon for a copy of our presentations.

2009-03-31 18:24:37

Councils Encourage Residents To Go Solar

An exciting new photovoltaic (PV) project from the switch your thinking! program has begun today, making the adaptation to solar power even more desirable and financially feasible.

The project has been launched in the cities of Armadale, Belmont, Gosnells, South Perth, Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire and the Town of Victoria Park and is sponsored by Greenday Today and Solco. It gives each of these communities the opportunity to prove their dedication to solar energy powered solutions, by offering a 20 metre steel tree with 4kW of PV panels on its branches ($100,000 value) to the first council that can get 100 solar PV systems on its residential rooftops.

This PV tree will stand as an attractive and functional monument to alternative power and include the names of the 100 residents who helped make its construction possible. Systems ordered as part of this project are subject to the $800 rebate from the switch your thinking! program and if acquired by houses with a taxable income of $100,000 dollars are able suitable for the government’s $8,000 Solar Homes & Communities plan.

Participation in this project will have another positive effect from Greenday Today donating $100 from the sale of each 1kW solar PV system to the Red Cross’ Victorian Bushfire appeal. If you want to learn more about the project please refer to the Media Release, visit our downloads section to see a visual representation of the tree and small piece on the project, visit www.switchyourthinking.com, or call the Group’s Regional Greenhouse Coordinator on 9361 6032. Also, Greenday Today can be contacted on 9391 6032 if you wish to order a system and get a free quotation or site assessment.

2009-03-26 16:07:39