There's a new word doing the rounds within the solar power industry - 'the solar-coaster'. In a recent article on the ABC website, Kane Thornton (acting CEO of the Clean Energy Council), explains that it refers to the many ups and downs that the solar power industry has endured in the past few years. It may be a way of making light of what is a frustrating common occurrence. Both consumers and solar power businesses have become exasperated at the sudden decisions from the government that mean sudden changes to the solar power industry.

You turn off switches at the wall, you keep the dishwasher usage to a minimum, and you’ve got an energy saving power board to ensure that you’re not wasting energy. The thing is, you are still never quite sure how much energy you are actually saving until you see that power bill in the mail and your palms start sweating.  That’s where another little piece of technology comes in – the energy monitor (or meter). 

The latest solar rebate scheme has come to an abrupt end this past week, and the solar power industry isn't happy. The $320 million bonus scheme meant that households were eligible for up to $1000 in solar rebates if they switched from older electric hot water systems to newer heat pump or solar power systems. The aim of the solar rebate scheme was to reduce household emissions.

Yesterday, Tuesday 28 Feburary, was the Business Clean Up Australia Day. The Neco staff decided to clean up our local Jells Park for the afternoon. Whilst the weather was a little grey, the rain held off which we were all grateful for and everyone was in high spirits as we began our clean up. We scaled the park and each filled a bag of rubbish, the most exciting discarded item being found by Michael - an old boot! 

Ever wondered how the cost of solar power in Australia compares to in the USA? A recent study that took the results of over 45,000 US homeowners' solar estimates has shown interesting findings. Predictably, the cost of solar power varies from state to state, as does the monthly savings, the total savings over time, and the payback amount of solar power installation. The study has gathered results for all four of these sums, and there is good news for Victorians; the cost of solar power is cheaper, and the payback more for us, than even the best solar power states in the US.

Congratulations to Anita Szasz who is the lucky winner of our Sustainable Living Festival Competition! You have won a hamper full of Neco goodies worth over $800, check your email to claim your prize!

Don't forget about Clean Up Australia Day this Sunday March 4! Register or join a cleanup site in your community and do your bit for our earth. The Neco staff will be out and about lending a hand in their local areas. Take a snapshot of your Clean Up Australia Day efforts and post it on the Neco facebook page or email it to info@neco.com.au to go into the draw to win a $200 Neco online gift voucher. So say cheese and let's get cleaning!

What once may have been something out of a science fiction novel is now quickly becoming reality, with solar power technology taking new leaps and bounds every passing year. New research is coming out of MIT about the creation of solar energy at home from grass clippings. Andreas Mershin, a researcher from MIT, believes that a solar cell could be created by simply mixing any green organic material, such as grass or other agricultural waste, with some inexpensive chemicals. The mixture would then be painted onto a roof, and that mixture would be just as effective as solar panels in the creation of solar energy.

The bad news just seems to keep getting worse when it comes to the rising energy prices that are upon us. The power industry is now warning that electricity prices under the July carbon price may rise an additional 10 per cent more than what has originally been forecast by the government. An increase in solar power installation is to be expected as households try to decrease their energy bills.

One of the challenges in the solar power industry is educating consumers about the difference between solar brands. The average consumer has never heard of "SMA" or "Conergy" and hence they have no concept of the difference in quality, performance and longevity between SMA inverters and other no-name inverters, and Conergy solar panels and other no-name panels.

More reports are revealing just how big an impact the rising energy prices are having on Victorians. The increasing costs of electricity have been the shadow over everyone's shoulder for a while now, with news outlets warning households to get set for a huge hike in bills. Now more detailed reports are showing just what an impact those bills are having already.

It may be the moment that solar power enthusiasts have been waiting for. A recent market analysis has found that the price of solar panels has fallen by almost 50 per cent since 2011, now being just one quarter of the price that they were back in 2008. But this has grander implications than just making a solar-powered home cheaper for the average consumer – it means that solar power is now a viable energy option for those in developing countries.

Yes, it’s true. Recently, a major Japanese construction firm proposed using the moon as a major solar power supplier. The Research and Development team at a company called Shimizu has suggested building a ‘belt of solar panels’ across the moon’s equator.

Here at Neco two of our best selling products, the Jellystone Designs Range and the Hookturn BYO Reusable Coffee Cups, are made from 100% silicone! Silicone is a versatile substance that is becoming more common on a consumer level and can be found in products in every room of a typical home. But what makes silicone environmentally friendly and what are it's benefits?  

A recent program on the 3AW radio station has been focusing in on electricity companies, and asking for listeners’ ‘horror story’ experiences with their energy providers. As many are aware, energy tariffs are set to rise dramatically in the coming year and beyond, and a recent court review of energy companies’ requests for more money to upgrade power poles and wires means that consumers may pay even more in the coming year.

A new report on solar module recycling has offered some interesting insight into the need for a solar PV recycling industry. The global solar power industry has had massive growth in the last decade, growing by 40% between 2000 and 2010. Much of the growth comes from increased solar power installations throughout Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, USA, Japan and France.

Each year Australians produce 21 million tonnes of waste. This would fill a line of garbage trucks from Melbourne to London and halfway back. This would fill a line of garbage trucks from Melbourne to London and halfway back. A large percentage of this waste is produced by our schools. 

Neco will back at the Melbourne Sustainable Living Festival at Federation Square in 2012. The Sustainable Living Festival celebrates and showcases the very best examples of ecological and social sustainability and runs from Friday 17th February until Sunday 19th February. 

Energy prices are on the rise, and that rise will be quicker than we expect, according to new forecasts.

A new technology is being developed that looks to make solar power cheaper than ever.

It’s bad news for solar companies but good news for consumers. Apple could be getting into solar power!

Recent discussion has been mounting about how solar power can assist those throughout the world that do not have access to electricity.

Neco will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period from December 24th until January 2nd.

Ever given yourself a little nod of satisfaction as you walk out your front door, having just made sure that all the lights in the house are off?  Unfortunately, you may not be saving as much electricity as you think. 

Solar energy is big business, a recent editorial in the Canberra Times states. Recent figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance show that global investment in renewable power is expected to reach nearly $US400 billion annually by 2020.

We all know that household waste increases over the festive season but it's not just the extra food and drink that impacts our environment.

If there was ever a time to turn to solar energy, it would be this coming year. Increased electricity prices have been in the pipeline for some time, but we now know they will be hitting Victorians harder than expected.

The future of solar energy is looking good because the future of a lot of other industries is looking bad, says a recent article in Forbes magazine.

Christmas is a time for sharing food and drink and celebrating with family and good friends.

The town of Shepparton is the number one ‘solar power’ town in Victoria.

For one week beginning 9am Monday 5 December 2011 and finishing Midnight Friday 9 December 2011, Neco is having a Christmas Spend & Save Event!

Apple is making a big leap towards solar energy after being ranked ‘the least environmentally sound’ of the big technology companies earlier this year.

The Hookturn BYO Coffee Cup is getting dressed for Christmas!

Japanese electronics company Panasonic is planning on building a new solar cell factory in Malaysia. The company has said it will spend 45 billion yen ($582 million) on the factory that will make solar cells – a key component in solar panels – that are capable of generating 300 megawatts of power.

Christmas is the season of giving, and this year Neco is getting in on the act! We're giving away a $1000 Coles Myer gift card to one lucky customer who purchases a solar power or solar hot water service from us between now and 23rd December 2011. 

Solar energy is on the rise, with solar power installations expected to rise dramatically by the end of this year. A recent report from IMS Research found that global solar photovoltaic (PV) (or solar cells) installations will reach 24GW in 2011, despite an initial slow start to the year. This will be a rise from 19GW in 2010.

So we all know that a massive use of electricity on a single day means energy costs skyrocket. But did you know exactly why? And what does that mean for big electricity companies?

In order for your parcel to arrive before Christmas please see our shipping guide below.

Almost 200 Australian public schools are waiting on a national funding deal that will give eachof them $50,000 in grants to spend on solar panels and other solar energy saving equipment.

Just when you thought that we couldn’t make solar power any simpler, we’ve gone and launched a brand new Neco channel on youtube. The Neco channel has a range of short, simple, animated videos that explain solar power and similar topics.

A new solar cell has been developed that has the energy efficiencies of 6.7 percent, which rivals the best polymer-based solar cells. A team from the University of California, Santa Barbara, has developed an energy efficient, organic, small-molecule solar power cell, and industry experts say this is important progress in the field of solar power development.

It seems that solar power is fast becoming a viable energy source throughout the USA, and there is strong public support behind it.

Congratulations to Melissa Tan who is the winner of our Facebook Product Hunt Competition!

The Nillumbik Practically Green Festival held on Sunday was a great success! The sun was shining over Edendale Farm and the warm weather made it a fantastic day out.

Congratulations to our winner of the ACF Membership Referral Competition Trev Watts!

We all know that saving energy in the home is important for the environment and to reduce our electricity bills. With rising electricity costs, it is now more important than ever to use appliances with high levels of energy efficiency.

For the month of October Neco will be running a Facebook Product Hunt competition! Each Tuesday and Thursday, beginning Tuesday 4th October, we will be posting a Product Puzzle on our Facebook page.

What is BPA? Here at Neco we're always talking about our eco friendly drink bottles and lunch ware being BPA free, but what exactly is this substance and why is it bad?

Win an Australian Conservation Foundation Membership for you and a friend worth $65 each by referring a friend to our email newsletter!

Congratulations to Sonja Barfoed and "Mustbethrifty" who are the winners of the Neco Twitter competition so far!

Tweet your green questions to our Eco Expert on the Neco Twitter page to go into the draw to win a Neco Online Store $50 voucher!

Come down at grab a bargain at the Neco Warehouse Sale on Saturday June 25.

Saturday June 5 is the United Nations Environment Programme World Environment Day (WED).

This week is National 'Say Yes' Week.

Mingle with fellow greenies at the Melbourne Sustainability Drinks next Wednesday 1^st

Fair Trade Fortnight (7-22 May) is Australia's biggest annual celebration of all things fair trade

This week Melbourne is hosting the inaugural Clean Energy Week which brings together over 1500 delegates from around the world

Come visit Neco next weekend at the Stonnington Sustainable Living Festival on Sunday May 15th

Congratulations to Cassandra Sinclair who is the winner of last week's facebook competition.

In recognition of the power of millions of individual actions, Earth Day 2011 will be organized around A Billion Acts of Green: Personal, organizational and corporate pledges to live and act sustainably.

Conservation group Earthwatch Australia is calling on residents and families to join the bandicoot watch to help protect long-nosed bandicoots at North Head, Manly from extinction.

Congratulations to Zoe Myers who is the winner of last week's facebook competition.

Neco’s favourite means of keeping up to date with sustainable living tips is through the Australian Conservation Foundations GreenHome Newsletter.

Congratulations to Edward Hooppell who is last weeks facebook competition winner. We were inspired by his tip that involved saving water and educating the next generation on living sustainably!

Water restrictions will remain in force in Victoria throughout winter,  what is your favourite water saving tip? Leave us a comment telling us your favourite tip to go into the draw to win a water saving pack worth $95!

Don’t Forget to switch off for Earth Hour this Saturday 26^th March.

Join the millions of people all over the world supporting Earth Hour 2011.

Congratulations to the 2nd Orange Scout Group from Central West NSW who are the winners of our Clean Up Australia Day photo competition!

We support the issuing of search warrants to bring down criminals who sought to illegally profit from the Home Insulation Program. However, honest companies like Neco are still suffering 12 months after the sudden cessation of the Program.

Don't forget about Clean Up Australia Day this Sunday March 6!

Thanks to everyone that came and visited Neco at the Sustainable Living Festival in Melbourne this weekend.

Come visit Neco this weekend at the Sustainable Living Festival on the River Promenade in Melbourne for fair specials, product info and to just say hello!

 Ethical consumer guide is running a 'No Impact November 2010' as part of their month long Household Action Challenge. The specific week long challenge starts today and runs until Thursday the 18th of November

Neco Managing Director Michael Tempany was interviewed in The Australian newspaper dated 18 September 2010 in relation to revelations that the Government's Insulation Industry Assistance Package (IIAP) fund has already been exhausted and that a further $15 million is required.

Sign up to receive the Neco newsletter and go into a monthly draw to win an annual Australian Conservation Foundation membership valued at $65. The membership includes 4 issues of the Australian Conservation Foundation Magazine Habitat.
 

Neco is moving offices 10-11 July.

Kevin Rudd may be out of the top job, but his legacy lives on in our warehouse. We've recently moved to new premises, which meant moving our insulation...at a cost of $30,000.

Neco appeared in the Whitehorse Leader over the Government's backflip on the Home Insulation Program. The Government owes Neco around $600,000 in costs.

Derryn Hinch spoke to Michael Tempany, Managing Director of Neco. Derryn was interested in the impact the Government’s decision to completely shelve the Home Insulation Program had on small businesses like Neco.

Steve Price spoke to Michael Tempany, Managing Director of Neco. Steve was interested in the impact the Government’s decision to completely shelve the Home Insulation Program had on small businesses like Neco.

Greg Hunt is the Shadow Minister for the Environment and a vocal critic of the Government's botched Home Insulation Program. To his credit Greg has tried to help affected businesses like Neco.

The Government really messed-up on the Home Insulation Program. Whilst the policy intent was good, the execution was appalling. Neco wrote to Greg Combet, the Minister charged with cleaning up the mess.

The end of the Home Insulation Program saw Neco make the front page of the local paper for all the wrong reasons. Our story is typical of many honest insulation companies.

Neco wasn't on the lawns of Parliament House when Kevin Rudd came out armed with his pen and notebook. But we were just as angry back at our Blackburn offices!

The Age picked up on the sad story of Neco employee Kerri Borg, who was one of 80 Neco workers to lose their jobs in the wake of the Government's abrupt cancellation of the Home Insulation Scheme.

The Australian picked up on Neco's plight after the Government decided to cancel the Home Insulation Program overnight. The policy intent of the program was good, but the execution was appalling.

The Government’s decision to end the Home Insulation Program so suddenly was the wrong move. Read an open letter to the media from Neco Managing Director Michael Tempany explaining why.