About EcoOnline
EcoOnline is the online store of Optex Solar Pty. Ltd., an Australian company founded in late 2007 by physicist Dr Gregory Grochola. We sell DIY solar pool heating systems and pool heat pumps Australia-wide, with expert sizing advice and unlimited phone technical support.
Optex Solar Pty. Ltd. is an innovative Australian based start-up company which was founded in late 2007 to develop revolutionary clean energy innovations. EcoOnline.com.au was set up to market, promote and sell new and existing eco-innovations which it deems to provide the highest energy savings per dollar for the consumer. While still technically a "for-profit" company, EcoOnline's environmental focus means it's more centred around promoting the eco-solution at the lowest possible cost to the consumer.
Our History
In 2007 the founder Gregory Grochola invented and patented a revolutionary seasonally biased solar hot water collector for residential hot water and home heating. In late 2007 Optex Solar Pty. Ltd. won a COMET grant to explore the commercialisation potential of the collector.
While theoretically sound the timing was terrible; the invention would have gone head to head against cheap Chinese PV panels, which were getting not only Australian government grants/rebates but also Chinese government PV industry development subsidies. As hard as it was to abandon the idea, it turned out to be the right business decision at the time, however, the founder went on to found Optex Solar Pty. Ltd.
Main author of EcoOnline.com.au
About Dr Gregory Grochola
- PhD in theoretical physics, RMIT University; undergraduate studies at Monash University
- Research in quantum physics, statistical thermodynamics and molecular dynamics simulation
- Over 20 publications and a contributing author in over 35 works (Google Scholar)
- A lead author of AS 3634:2022 Solar heating systems for swimming pools
- Developer of EcoOnline's heat-perception based solar pool heating sizing method
Gregory Grochola did his undergraduate studies at Monash University and holds a PhD in theoretical physics from RMIT University, and has worked in the fields of quantum physics, statistical thermodynamics and molecular dynamics simulation. He has written over 20 publications and is a contributing author in over 35 works. A background that has left him in good stead to develop eco-innovations.
Somewhat recently, in 2022 Gregory was a lead author in the new AS 3634:2022 Solar heating systems for swimming pools, and went on to develop a new solar pool heating sizing algorithm based on an acclimatisation corrected, heat perception based universal air temperature threshold, defined for all states as marking the start of the season. While the new sizing algorithm improves on the AS 3634:1989 one size fits all sizing, it did not make it into AS 3634:2022 which retained AS 3634:1989 sizing recommendations (barring a 20% boost in recommended collector areas).
He is a passionate advocate for all things involving: environmental care, climate change and solar energy and has worked tirelessly over the last years promoting and enhancing solar energy products.
EcoOnline was started with the idea that the only way we are going to make a difference in helping consumers make the right product choice is to make sure the eco-solution has the lowest possible cost.
Expert support
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Gregory Grochola (Physicist and Pool Heating Expert)