Business blows through the roof

Sunday Tasmanian
Sunday 7/6/2009 Page: 28

WHEN the winds of change blow, Rob Manson wants to catch them with a turbine. Rob runs two businesses under one roof in North Hobart I Want Solar and Electricians Shed. He reckons at the pace the solar industry changes, there is always a new technology to get excited about. "We have diversified into wind turbines it's a big part of our future," he said. "Vertical access wind turbines can be positioned on a building, which will enable businesses to sell back to the grid and offset their electricity bills."

Rob said street lights with solar panels are the next big thing in the solar industry. I Love Solar has secured a trial in Sheffield, in the State's north. They are also in negotiations with the Hobart City Council. "Hybrid systems that combine wind and solar technologies are the way forward," Rob said. With the Federal Government's $8000 solar grant due to run out in a month, Rob is flat out with inquiries for photovoltaic solar panels. "There is a frenzy of interest," he said.

Rob has worked in the electrical wholesale industry his whole life. About eight years ago he moved to Hobart. At 45-years-old, he had an epiphany: it was time to start his own business. Electricians Shed is an electrical wholesale business. It started small with Rob selling power points from his backyard shed. He sourced Chinese-made products that were affordable and of the right quality for the Tasmanian market.

But it was not an overnight success, local tradesmen needed some convincing. "With my first shipment of power points in hand, I called the electricians with the 10 biggest ads in the Yellow Pages I got nine nos and one yes," Rob said. "In sales, you can't get to first base without striking out a few times."

Soon the industry recognised that Rob's imports were the real deal and within a year-and-a- half he had to relocate to a bigger site. Two years ago, he moved again to his current location in Burnett St and may soon relocate again to better cater for his booming business. Rob recognised the need to have a specialised supplier of solar and alternative energy systems in Hobart and I Want Solar was born in 2005. "Hydro was the catalyst," he said. "They needed monitoring systems for their dams in remote areas."

In just a few short years, Rob's typical solar customer has changed dramatically. "It went from being something for the wealthy and hardcore greenies, to attracting academics and self funded retirees all in the space of a year. "Another year later, and now everyone is interested." Rob said Tasmania is perfectly located to make the most of solar and wind technologies. "We enjoy more sun than Spain or Germany. "Yet they are the world's number two and three biggest users of solar grids."