Richard Turner is Chief Executive Officer of ZEN Home Energy Systems and has a unique vision to create effective Sustainable Energy Technology in the areas of Production and Demand Side Utilisation without compromise to lifestyle.

1. Can you tell us about your career and how it led to ZEN Home Energy Systems?

I’m probably best described as a career entrepreneur and have founded four successful companies across four completely different industries.

I got the idea for creating ZEN Home Energy Systems when I was installing a single solar panel and related components on my daughter’s cubby house so she could power a small light and TV.

All of the components I needed were made by different companies with different brands and were hard to match while the market information was scrambled tech speak at best. It was clear that many home owners wanted to have solar energy in their homes but it was just too difficult for them to fully understand what was involved. I wanted to simplify the process and provide a one-stop shop for consumers. After six months researching, negotiating and identifying key overseas manufacturers I established ZEN Home Energy Systems with my business partner in 2007.

2. What would be the highlights of your career to date?

Establishing Australia’s first fully branded and integrated solar grid connect home energy system company and watching it grow exponentially to become the market leader.

ZEN also pioneered the first Solar Councils program in regional Victoria in 2008 – a unique program that provides long-term economic benefits and career paths for youth in the regions and a program we are now replicating across Australia.

We’ve directly created many jobs along the way. ZEN now employs over 20 staff at our head office in Adelaide with a network of more than 200 installers and sales staff located across Australia.

On a more personal front, I was named the inaugural South Australian Entrepreneur of the Year in 1996 and in 2007 I was inducted into the Entrepreneurs Organisation’s Hall of Fame and named Entrepreneur of the Year again in 2009. These were all memorable and proud moments.

3. What are the most rewarding aspects of your role at ZEN Home Energy Systems?

Running a business that is encouraging behaviour among Australians that’s both good for the environment and good for the hip pocket.

The addition of a ZEN Home Energy System is a highly effective way to help influence more people’s attitudes toward sustainable actions and add value to their home at the same time.

Our vision is to make Zero ENergy living a way of life and an environmentally friendly way to save money and live free.

4. What major changes and new trends are you experiencing in your industry?

Over time, the Government solar rebate scheme has changed on several occasions.

Under the current Federal Government Scheme, householders and businesses can earn Solar Credits depending on the size of the system and these can be discounted off the price immediately or traded at a later time. This has replaced the $8,000 means tested rebate and is now available to all homes and businesses including holiday homes.

This is a positive change in our industry but not the only reason people are switching to solar.

5. Are more businesses getting into sustainable energy solutions?

More business owners are investing in a renewable energy system to meet the energy needs of their business, obtain “green” marketing credentials, generate additional revenue streams and to lock in electricity prices for the long-term.

Our commercial division audits, designs, supplies and project manages energy installations for a range of clients across Australia. These include construction and engineering firms, companies involved in manufacturing, local government, schools and colleges, farmers, wineries, hospitals and medical practitioners.

We have provided solar energy solutions for businesses such as Bernie Lewis Home Loans in Adelaide, the Mitre 10 complex in Normanville, and Yankalilla Self Storage in Yankalilla, to name just a few.

6. How supportive is local government of sustainable energy?

The Local Government across Australia has been a very strong advocate of renewable energy.

In May, ZEN announced a 12-month pilot program with the Local Government Association in South Australia. Under the Solar Councils Pilot Program, six metropolitan councils will champion residential solar energy solutions to communities, with ZEN providing free assessments to local households.

This follows our company’s successful regional program led by Victor Harbor and involving eight other councils last year where over 2000 home owners are now generating power savings estimated at $1.5 million and reducing carbon emissions by 6000 tonnes each year. Similar projects have been undertaken by ZEN in regional Victoria and NSW.

7. The company is growing exponentially – how are you managing your growth?

In its first year ZEN’s turnover was $500,000. That grew to $3 million in the second year and turnover is on track to hit $20 million in 2009-10.

We are now targeting turnover of up to $100 million this coming financial year. This forecast growth is being driven by brand development, national expansion, and escalating strategic partnerships with industry and local government.

We have been very careful to ensure we are well resourced to undertake this growing amount of work and our growth has been self-funded. It’s about maintaining high-quality standards of product, installation and service – not just chasing volume.

8. What are the major challenges facing the industry?

Unfortunately for consumers, there are some low-quality systems in the market place, as well as poorly trained installers. This is a result of crowding in the market as more retailers move in to make a quick dollar from the government rebates on offer.

However, our solar panels are built under our brand and to our specifications from leading overseas manufacturers and of the highest quality. Our installers are licensed electricians who hold Clean Energy Council qualifications and undergo extensive training in our solar academy. If fact ZEN is the only company in Australia to train all installers “in-house” to both industry certification and the much higher ZEN accreditation.

The Government recently announced tighter safety controls around the installation of rooftop solar panels, which is a welcomed move for the industry.

9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

In my spare time (which I don’t get a lot of) I enjoy arranging music, staying fit playing basketball for my school old scholars and travelling with my family. I am passionate about renewable energy and converting our new house to become Zero Energy with a combination of Solar Home Energy, Solar Hot Water, Double Glazing and Rainwater Harvesting.