I can shine as you dine, on a romantic mid-night snack.
I give you light at the dead of night, with no need for even a power pack.
I try to please and you’ll see I collect sun during the day like a busy bee. I’m made for you, me and everyone.
So c’mon, just flip my switch and turn me on!
I’ll brighten your night and brighten your day and whenever you need me I’ll chase the darkness away.
It was non-stop adventure in the wild of the South African Pilanesberg for some of our Suntoy team members including Distributors Heiner Klaus from Europe, Nick Wiehe and Jean-Philippe Pierre from Mauritius, joined by Suntoy’s CEO Harald Schulz, brand Manager Adam Viles, and production manager Rolf Willenbrock who descended on The Ivory Tree Lodge for some fun in the sun from 26 – 28 Feb. 2016.
Being from the warm shores of Mauritius, Jean-Philippe did not take too kindly to the fresh crispy morning air as we embarked on our first game-drive. In no time at all, Jean-Philippe was wrapped tightly in a thermal blanket, lying low to avoid the wind? Sorry Jean-Philippe, us native South African’s could not help finding this amusing in the middle of one of our warmest months of the year. 🙂
We witnessed the most spectacular sunrise and close-up sightings of some of the big five including Elephant, Rhino, Lion and Giraffe to name but a few….
We came across an Elephant in Musth who decided to give charge towards us at a point during the drive when we had stopped to observe the majestic animal…. Never had we experienced a Jeep in high-speed reverse as we did in that moment, and not a moment too soon either…. pretty adrenalin pumping stuff.
It did not end there, as the great African sun, set behind the hills in the west, it coloured the skies with breathtaking shades and shapes, giving birth to the night skies and our next adventure which was an evening game drive that delivered the opportunity for us to view – the all African night owl – amongst other – foxy – animals who prefer to remain unseen or heard. A whole new kind of excitement…
No sooner had we returned from our evening game drive, the African Gods decided it would be a good time to bestow upon us, their most thunderous hurricane-like storm sending us all rushing inside for shelter…. It was this ominous event of nature that rewarded us with an unexpected gift and opportunity to mingle with other lodgers, and in so doing, displaying our Consol Solar Jar™ on some of the tables in the dining area; leading to much interest shown by locals and international visitors. O what a night….
This unforgettable environment awarded us all with the time needed, to put our heads together and discuss relevant topics such as future branding strategies, global marketing, reseller and distributor challenges as well as upcoming product improvements.
Suntoy thanks all participants for sharing this time with us!
For every hour of direct sunlight, the Consol Solar Jar™ emanates an hour of pure shining light for your convenience. Overcast and cloudy days however, are not considered as direct Sunlight and can therefore not be relied on to ensure Solar energy transfer takes place.
To educate our customers we have provided the below basic diagram of how Solar energy is produced and how it flows into a Solar powered product.
Solar Radiation Map
If you own or are planning on purchasing a Consol Solar Jar™ we encourage you to view our Solar Radiation map to discover how much solar energy is radiated from the Sun in your Country.
Born on the island of Mauritius, Corine Park Mazurier has lived half her life on the Greek islands and the other half in the Caribbean (on a yacht) and has now become the official distributor of the Consol Solar Jar™ in the Caribbean.
Corine came across the Consol Solar Jar™ on the tiny island of Rodrigues, at the Bakwa lodge where she sought to investigate and was amazed by what she was looking at. “How simple – yet versatile, how functional – yet creative. I was hooked. I purchased one from the lodge and my enthusiasm rubbed off on the other guests who also proceeded to purchase jars.”
Corine is sharing her enthusiasm for the Consol Solar Jar™ in the Caribbean as it completely fits her criteria for what she considers to be an inspiring product. According to Corine, the Caribbean group of islands all have one thing in common – hurricanes, with most islands often experiencing electrical outages due to weather and this is where the Consol Solar Jar™ comes in very handy.
Corine feels it is important to understand and convey that the Consol Solar Jar™ is “proudly hand made in South Africa” and not “made in China”.
The Consol Solar Jar™ requires loving care and attention says Corine. Not because it is delicate but because it is important to place it in the sunlight daily to recharge. The Jar needs to play a role in the space it’s in and hence be part of the design (interior or exterior). “It also requires “props” or accessories which I believe need to be developed or suggested, to shoulder the jar and to make its utility more accessible.”
The Caribbean is one of the finest sailing grounds in the world, where the Consol Solar Jar™ is finding its bearings. In this context its use is both decorative and functional. There are an endless number of year round sailors in the Caribbean, from mega yachts (decorative) to small live aboard sailors (functional) who find use in both the utility and the beauty of the jar.
The tourism industry – from cruise ship passengers to yacht charters for day visitors, hotel and villa guests enjoy our personalised jar as it appeals to our clients as a souvenir with the dual purpose of being useful at home.
Welcome to the Suntoy Team Corine.
To commemorate the 300th anniversary of renowned British Landscape Architect; Lancelot “Capability” Brown, who shaped our vision of the picture-perfect English countryside, Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park will be hosting a light art commission using 1000 Consol Solar Jars™ as one of its key set pieces.
Compton Verney Park is a place steeped in rich architectural history, its current state being the result of an 11-year restoration project that will see this magnificent building returned to its 1768 splendour and glory that was designed by one of the most important Landscape Architects of the 18th century, Lancelot “Capability” Brown himself.
Visual artist Laurent from Creatmosphere, a cross-genre studio specialising in the interplay of light as art between architecture and space, has been commissioned to create a light spectacular as has never been seen before using our Consol Solar Jars ™. Applying stunning, ground-breaking technologically, this new interactive light commission entitled “IN LIGHT: Illuminating Capability Brown’s Landscape”, launches on the 29 October and runs until the 13 November.
Compton Verney’s 18th century mansion, ‘Capability’ Brown Chapel and Bridge will be lit in vibrant ways for people to appreciate and play with. There is an interactive element that gives visitors the opportunity to take over the light controls and light up various parts of the house and trees in exciting ways. This is the first time globally, that wireless DMX technology has been used to activate so many solar powered lanterns in an art exhibition of this magnitude. The technological challenge was made easier in collaboration with UJ (University of Johannesburg) and their research facility RC (Resolution circle).
By using 1000 Consol Solar Jars™; a product proudly conceptualised and manufactured by Suntoy in South Africa, Laurent will be filling an entire field with pinpoints of light to map the rich and diverse history of green spaces in a creative and captivating way. Three centuries later, Lancelot “Capability” Brown’s work is still celebrated and lives on.
We here at Suntoy, together with our European distributors Sonnenglas, are enormously proud to have our Consol Solar Jar™ play an integral and creative part in this initiative. Seeing it being used in this way and not just as originally intended (as a reading light and portable solar lantern), demonstrates its potential as a fun, eco-friendly and sustainable alternative light supply that makes it easy to go green. It truly is bottled sunshine!
Event details can be found here:
Life in light
Contact:
Harald Schulz
Managing Director
Email: harald@suntoy.co.za
South Africa
Ph: +27 87 754 4060
Adam Viles
Suntoy Brand Manager
Email: adam@suntoy.co.za
South Africa
Ph: +27 73 406 1803
