MEDIA  RELEASE    
   
Thursday,  28  October  2010  
 
 
Solar  power  now  more  accessible  to  regional  Australia  through  CRT  and  Solar  Shop  
alliance    
 
Residents  in  regional  communities  will  now  have  greater  access  to  solar  power  through  an  alliance  
between  Solar  Shop  Australia  and  the  rural  retailing  group,  CRT.  
 
The  alliance,  which  has  significantly  boosted  Solar  Shop  Australia’s  growing  national  footprint,  
involves  36  CRT  retail  outlets  nation-­‐wide  providing  information  about  solar  power.    
 
Solar  Shop  Australia  National  Sales  Manager,  Paul  Arthur,  said  the  alliance  provided  a  new  
benchmark  in  the  solar  power  industry,  with  regional  communities  set  to  be  the  long-­‐term  winners.    
 
“Our  Renewable  Energy  Advisors  have  been  servicing  regional  areas  of  Australia  for  many  years,  but  
this  alliance  will  increase  access  to  information  and  ensure  CRT  customers  benefit  from  the  same  
quality  service  and  individual  attention  that’s  available  in  the  city,”  Mr  Arthur  said.    
 
“The  demand  for  solar  power  is  growing,  particularly  in  regional  areas  where  there’s  a  natural  
interest  in  sustainability  and,  generally  speaking,  a  lot  of  sunshine.  In  addition  to  the  overwhelming  
environmental  benefits,  increasing  electricity  prices  and  generous  government  incentives  are  driving  
the  popularity  of  solar  power,  with  some  customers  eliminating  their  power  bills  all  together.  
 
“We  look  at  the  individual  needs  of  clients  and  tailor  a  system  to  suit,  whether  it’s  a  domestic  
situation  or  on  the  farm  where  solar  power  can  increase  farmers’  self-­‐reliance  by  powering  dairy  
equipment,  greenhouses,  heating  and  cooling  units,  water  pumps  and  any  appliance  or  machinery  
connected  to  the  main  electricity  grid.”  
 
In  conjunction  with  CRT,  Solar  Shop  Australia  will  run  free  community  information  sessions  and  
provide  in-­‐home  consultations  for  those  interested  in  finding  out  more  about  how  solar  power  can  
benefit  them,  from  both  a  financial  and  environmental  perspective.    
 
“Because  there  can  be  a  lot  of  confusion  about  solar  power,  we  felt  it  was  important  to  have  a  
greater  presence  and  be  able  to  talk  people  through  the  pros  and  cons  of  different  systems  and  be  
on  hand  to  answer  any  questions  they  may  have  and,  ultimately,  guide  them  through  the  process,”  
Mr  Arthur  said.    
 
Bruce  Moore,  National  Category  Manager  for  Water  and  General  Products,  said  the  CRT  group  was  
excited  to  be  able  to  offer  solar  power  systems  through  participating  CRT  retail  outlets.    
 
“The  installation  of  solar  panels  is  definitely  on  the  rise  across  regional  Australia,  with  more  people  
realising  the  financial  and  environmental  benefits  of  having  a  system  on  their  roof  or  property,”  said  
Mr  Moore.  
 
 

 
...  2/  
  
Solar  power  now  more  accessible  to  regional  Australia  through  CRT  and    
Solar  Shop  Australia  alliance                 2  
 
 
“Our  customers  deserve  the  best  solutions,  which  is  why  we  are  so  pleased  to  be  working  with  Solar  
Shop  Australia,  one  of  the  nation’s  leading  and  most  respected  solar  power  providers.  
 
“It’s  a  big  win  for  those  living  in  regional  areas  who  will  have  unprecedented  access  to  Australia’s  
largest  supplier  of  solar  panels  and  receive  the  same  high  quality  service,  technologies  and  systems  
as  consumers  in  the  city,”  he  said.  
 
-­‐Ends-­‐  
 
Contact:     Sam  Ion  of  communikate  et  al  
0425  434  423  or  sam@communikate.net.au  
 
Victoria  Firth  of  communikate  et  al  
0415  194  095  or  victoria@communikate.net.au  
 
   
 
About  Solar  Shop  Australia  
Solar  Shop  Australia  has  more  than  a  decade’s  experience  in  delivering  and  is  the  one  of  the  nation’s  leading  
providers  of  premium,  quality  solar  power  systems  tailored  specifically  to  households  and  commercial  needs.  
SSA  products  and  services  are  available  at  outlets  throughout  Australia.  SSA  is  passionate  about  the  benefits  of  
renewable  energy  and  to  remaining  at  the  forefront  of  solar  technology  for  the  good  of  the  individual,  
community  and  environment.  For  more  information  visit  www.solarshop.com.au  
 
About  CRT  
 
With  more  than  400  outlets,  CRT  is  Australia's  largest  group  of  independent  rural  retailers.  CRT  retailers  cater  
to  specific  local  needs  and  offer  a  suite  of  tailored  services  and  facilities  to  suit  their  individual  markets.  At  
local  and  national  level,  CRT  and  its  'Local  Blokes'  are  also  involved  in  a  wide  range  of  community  activities  to  
assist  the  townships  in  which  they  operate.  For  more  information  visit  www.crt.com.au