Mildura Development Corporation (MDC) Chairman, Mr Dane Huxley, is delighted by the announcement today that Murray River Salt, the producers of international award winning Pink Salt Flakes, has won an Innovation Award at SIAL Shanghai, one of the largest food and beverage trade fairs in China.

“Mildura Development Corporation has been attending SIAL over the last three days, promoting local food and beverage products. The SIAL innovation awards encourage businesses from right across the globe to showcase their ingenuity. The Victorian team was delighted by two wins, one of which was Duncan and Jan Thomson’s Murray River

Salt. We can all be very proud of such an excellent achievement and recognition of this quality gourmet product. I would like to offer MDCs sincere congratulations to Duncan, Jan and the team at Murray River Salt.” Mr Huxley said.

The award was presented by Xavier Terlet, President XTC World Innovation and accepted by Anne Mansell, CEO of Mildura Development Corporation, on Murray River Salt’s behalf.

“It was a great honour to accept this award for Murray River Salt and I am looking forward to organising a presentation to Duncan, Jan and the team on our return. This clearly demonstrates the innovation and entrepreneurship of our local food and beverage manufacturers. There are nearly 9000 companies showcasing products at this year’s SIAL Shanghai and only 35 awards were presented, so this is indeed a very significant award.” Mrs Mansell said.

Mrs Mansell said that the trade fair highlighted the enormous opportunities that the China market offered as well as the increasing demand for product that is clean and green.

“The various food and wine products that we have had on display at SIAL Shanghai have been very popular and have impressed buyers and importers by their high quality. “Being on the Victoria Government stand with other businesses from across the state has been a great advantage. We have had an excellent location and we would like to thank the

Victorian Government for their encouragement and support in proactively pursuing the Chinese market.” Mrs Mansell said.

Mildura Region Solar Hubs (MRSH) has researched to find the best solar PV options for the Mildura region. This research is available to the public to help them make the best choice when going solar by contacting the MRSH Project Officer at Mildura Development Corporation.

Over the last two years there has been a huge increase in the average size of solar PV systems in the Mildura Region up from 1.25kW in 2009 to 2.24kW in 2011.

 

Under the MRSH project the average PV system is now 3.9kW. The current state average size is 1.945kW. This means that Mildura systems are producing more than double the electricity of an average Melbourne PV system.

 

The larger the PV system the more you save from your bills. The average household under MRSH can save up to $2100 from their electricity bill over the first 12 months.

 

MRSH have now installed 67 PV systems with an aim of installing 785kW over the next two months. Owing to the larger system sizes, these are equivalent to the electrical use in 90 average households in the region.

 

The postcode in the region with the highest PV installation is Merbein with about 10% of all houses with solar PV.

 

All solar system prices will go up in July when the federal government rebates reduce by up to $2000 in June.

 

Mildura Region Solar Hubs (MRSH) is holding another information session to help explain how solar can be the best option for you. This session will include pricing and cost savings of solar panel systems; quality of panels and the impact of temperature; the introduction of new solar technology and government rebates.

 

The Solar information session is being held at Sunraysia Institute of TAFE (Auditorium) on Friday 20 April at 10am. Local residents wishing to attend should RSVP to Nardia Baker on 5022 3748 by Wednesday 18 April 2012.

 

MRSH will also be attending the Merbein Markets this Sunday to help with free solar advice.

 

For a free, no obligation solar quotes contact Tim Brand, Solar Hubs Project Officer at Mildura Development Corporation on 5022 0722.

Mildura Region Solar Hubs (MRSH) is holding another information session to help explain which is the best solar option for you. This is the fifth session since solar hubs commenced in December last year. 

With electricity prices increasing, the carbon tax introduction, and the reduction of federal solar rebates by July, it has never been a better time to go solar.  

Electricity prices are expected to increase more than 35% over the next 3 years. Some solar systems will now pay for themselves in 4 years and come with a 5 year replacement warranty on all parts and labour. 

The combination of quality brands and dependable local companies is the key to maximising the savings on electricity bills. A high quality solar system on the market today can save many thousands of dollars over the life of the system. 

“Purchasing solar technology can sometimes be a very complex process for local householders,” said Anne Mansell, Chief Executive Officer of Mildura Development Corporation. “This information session will help you understand the purchase of a solar system, so you can start saving money with solar.” 

MRSH anticipates that with the reduction of federal government rebates on 1 July 2012 all solar systems will increase by $1,000- $2,000 each.

The MRSH project has conducted extensive research on the best solar products on the global market and have identified the ten best solar panels, best return on investment for the local area, how easy it is to access the warranties locally and the ability to provide systems designed for your unique situation. 
 

The information sessions will outline which panels are suited for our region and provide information to help make the best decision. 

The Solar information session is being held at Sunraysia Institute of TAFE (Auditorium) on Friday 20 April at 10am. Local residents wishing to attend should RSVP to Nardia Baker on 5022 3748 by Wednesday 18 April 2012. 

Free, no obligation solar quotes can be obtained by contacting Tim Brand, Solar Hubs Project Officer at Mildura Development Corporation on 5022 0722.

“The people of the Mildura Region are responding well to the high quality solar PV and installations on offer,” said Anne Mansell, CEO of Mildura Development Corporation.

 

With a small downturn in the current solar PV industry, Mildura has maintained momentum with more than 40 PV systems installed since the end of November.

 

“With almost 200 people asking for quotes and expected increase in solar interest as we approach the June deadline for the federal solar rebates, Mildura Solar has had to employ a new installation team”, said Renee Carruthers, Manager of Mildura Solar.

 

Two system options are currently available by Mildura Solar; The Standard package and the Premium package. There have been some substantial cost reductions in pricing for both the standard and premium systems which indicates that the systems could pay for themselves within 6 years.

 

The Standard packages now range from $3,696 to $10,713, and the Premium packages prices now vary from $5,157 up to $15,050. The first 50 customers to install the Premium package will receive a Sunnyboy monitoring system for free. With the recent price reduction, it is by far the best opportunity for the community to go solar.

 

The Premium package utilises efficient Sunpower cells, which means the largest system can be installed on your roof.  

 

These solar systems could save from $640 up to $2,000 per year on an electricity bill depending on the system size. 

 

Mildura Region Solar Hubs will be part of the Sustainable Sunraysia Festival at the Farmers Market this Saturday, and can be found in the Mildura Rural City Council tent.

 

Residents wishing to obtain a free, no obligation quote for solar should contact Tim Brand, Solar Hubs Project Officer at Mildura Development Corporation on 03 5022 0722 

END OF MEDIA RELEASE