Justine, Author at Smart Ease

One of the biggest announcements for commercial rooftop solar in years

Justine — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 03:31:55 +0000

If you work with businesses looking at commercial solar, today’s announcement is worth paying attention to.

The Federal Government has announced plans to expand the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), increasing the maximum system size eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) from 100kW to 1MW.

If the changes go ahead as announced, many commercial solar projects could become eligible for incentives that reduce the overall project cost by around 20%.

That’s one of the biggest policy announcements for commercial rooftop solar we’ve seen in years. While there are still plenty of details to come, here’s what we know so far.

What’s changing?

Currently, solar systems up to 100kW are eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which provide an upfront financial incentive and help reduce the cost of installation.

Larger systems above 100kW are currently supported through the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) via Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs). Under this model, the financial benefit is generated over time rather than reducing the upfront cost of the project.

Under the proposed changes, the Government plans to expand the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) to include mid-scale solar PV systems.

This means:

The current STC eligibility threshold will increase from 100kW to 1MW (1,000kW).
New solar installations between 100kW and 1MW will move from the LRET scheme into the SRES, making them eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs).
STCs for these mid-scale systems will be calculated using the current five-year deeming period, which will continue each year until the SRES ends in 2030, rather than reducing annually.

The expanded scheme is expected to commence from 1 October 2026 and will open up access to STC incentives for a much broader range of commercial, industrial, agricultural and community projects.

Why is this such a big deal?

According to the Government, eligible businesses could reduce the overall cost of their commercial solar project by around 20%.

Examples released with today’s announcement include:

250kW system: around $68,000 in STC incentives.

500kW system: around $136,000 in STC incentives.

850kW system: close to $200,000 in STC incentives.

For many businesses, that’s the difference between a project that gets pushed back and one that gets approved. Better project economics make it easier for customers to see the value in investing now rather than later.

Who could benefit?

The reforms target what Energy Minister Chris Bowen has described as Australia’s “missing middle”: businesses with large rooftops ripe for solar generation that haven’t previously benefited from the simpler STC scheme.

That includes businesses and organisations such as manufacturing facilities, distribution centres, farms, schools, hospitals, shopping centres and community organisations.

If your customers are considering projects between 100kW and 1MW, this announcement could be highly relevant.

Why is the Government doing this?

Australia has been incredibly successful at rolling out rooftop solar on homes, but commercial uptake has lagged behind. Government figures show businesses have installed around 5.6GW of rooftop solar, compared with more than 22GW on Australian homes.

Yet commercial buildings represent one of Australia’s biggest untapped opportunities for rooftop solar. The aim is simple, help more businesses invest in clean energy and make better use of the roof space they already have.

It’s not just about incentives.

The Government also announced plans to improve the process of connecting medium-scale rooftop solar systems to the grid.

For many installers, delays in obtaining network approvals have become almost as frustrating as the project economics themselves.

Reducing those delays could make it quicker and easier for more commercial projects to proceed.

Better project economics. Fewer barriers.

Reducing the overall cost of a project is a big step forward, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Many businesses still need to preserve cash flow, protect working capital and manage competing investment priorities.

That’s why we think this announcement makes funding even more valuable. Lower project costs improve the business case.

Smart Ease’s $0 upfront Payment Plans remove the need for customers to fund the remaining investment upfront. Together, they can make commercial solar more accessible than ever.

For installers working in the commercial sector, that means more opportunities to help customers move from “We’d like to” to “Let’s get started.”

Even more good news for NSW businesses.

The Federal announcement isn’t the only positive change on the horizon. The NSW Government is also introducing changes to the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) that are expected to increase incentives for commercial battery projects.

For businesses investing in solar and battery storage, the combination of expanded STCs and new PDRS incentives could significantly improve project economics.

We’ll be taking a closer look at the PDRS changes in an upcoming article, including how they may work alongside the expanded STC scheme and Smart Ease funding.

What’s next?

Today’s announcement is just that, an announcement. The legislation and detailed scheme rules still need to be finalised, and we’ll be watching closely as more information becomes available.

Over the coming weeks we’ll continue to break it all down, including:

What the changes mean for installers working in the commercial sector.

How the expanded STC scheme and NSW PDRS incentives could work together.

How Smart Ease funding can help customers take advantage of these opportunities.

Sources: Putting more roofs to work; Renew Economy; and Clean Energy Council Fact Sheet

At Smart Ease, we’re here to help you make sense of the changes, strengthen your proposals and get more commercial projects moving.

If you’d like to discuss how this announcement could impact your commercial pipeline, get in touch with the team. We’d love to help.

Let’s talk

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Lowe Wines: energy independence that protects every vintage

Justine — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 20:46:17 +0000

For most businesses, a power outage is an inconvenience. For a winery, it can compromise an entire vintage.

When refrigeration, temperature control and production equipment stop unexpectedly, product quality is immediately at risk. That’s why Lowe Family Wine Co in Mudgee set out to achieve something bigger than lower electricity bills. They wanted certainty.

Working with Greentech and installer SPS Solar + Water, Lowe Family Wine Co expanded its solar generation, added battery storage and integrated backup generation to create a complete energy system designed to keep the business operating when it matters most.

The result has enabled the Mudgee winery to become the largest of its kind in Australia to go completely off the electricity grid. Lowe has achieved its long-term goal of energy independence while giving the business greater control over its operations and energy costs.

Project snapshot

Channel Partner: Greentech
SPS Solar + Water

Industry: Agriculture & Hospitality

Solar: 238.1kW
Battery storage: 1,230kWh

Equipment:

1414 Trina Solar Panels
5 Deye 50kW Hybrid Inverters
240 Deye 5.12kWh Battery Modules
1 x 200kVA CAT Diesel Generator

Payment Plan Term: 7 years

A collaborative approach to an integrated energy solution

Designing an integrated solar, battery and backup energy system required more than quality equipment. It required the right technical expertise.

Working alongside installer SPS Solar + Water, the team at Greentech helped tailor a solution to Lowe’s operational requirements. The result was an integrated energy system that delivered the energy certainty Lowe was looking for while supporting the business’s goal of energy independence.

As commercial solar and battery systems become more sophisticated, having access to specialist engineering and technical support is becoming increasingly valuable for installers. Greentech’s technical team works alongside installation partners to help deliver integrated energy solutions tailored to each customer’s operational and energy needs.

Integrated commercial energy projects don’t just require technical expertise. They also require the right funding structure behind the scenes.

For the Lowe project, Smart Ease worked alongside Greentech and installer SPS Solar + Water to structure payments that supported everyone involved, helping ensure the engineering, equipment supply and installation could be delivered smoothly.

More than solar. A complete energy solution

Commercial businesses are increasingly looking beyond solar alone.

Battery storage allows businesses to store excess solar energy during the day and use it when electricity prices are highest, reducing exposure to peak tariffs. It also provides valuable backup capability during grid outages, helping businesses maintain operations when power interruptions occur.

For Lowe, this integrated energy solution delivered multiple benefits:

Greater protection against power outages

More control over when and how electricity is used

Reduced exposure to peak electricity prices

No grid reliance – the site can operate for up to 5 days without any sun

For businesses where downtime has real operational or financial consequences, battery storage is becoming an essential part of the energy conversation.

Making the project financially achievable

Like many commercial energy projects, the biggest challenge wasn’t deciding whether the investment made sense.

It was funding it.

Delivering a complete solar and battery solution represented a significant capital investment, and tying up that amount of cash would have limited Lowe’s ability to invest elsewhere in the business.

David says the Smart Ease payment plan was what made the project possible.

“The payment plan with Smart Ease was really a critical point for our acceptance of this project.”

By spreading the investment over seven years, Lowe was able to install the complete energy solution without draining working capital.

“The payment plan allowed us to hold our capital for other things we may need to do. It gave us certainty around our payments and we knew there would be an end point where the system was fully paid off.”

For agricultural businesses, where seasonal conditions can influence cash flow, predictable payments can be just as important as predictable power.

A project aligned with Lowe’s values

Sustainability has always been central to Lowe’s philosophy.

The move towards energy independence wasn’t a new idea. It had been part of the business’s long-term vision for more than 25 years.

“This has accelerated something we always wanted to achieve,” says David.

“It fits perfectly with our ethos of permaculture, managing our own resources, being in control of the factors that affect our business and doing things properly.”

Today, Lowe isn’t just producing award-winning wine. It’s producing much of its own energy too.

Start a conversation with Smart Ease and find out how our payment solutions can accelerate your next solar and storage project.

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5 EOFY Questions Every Installer Should Ask

Justine — Sun, 31 May 2026 23:47:32 +0000

EOFY isn’t just a sales period. It’s one of the best times of year to start meaningful conversations with commercial customers.

Businesses are reviewing budgets, speaking with accountants, planning for FY27 and looking closely at operating costs. That makes June the perfect time to discuss solar, batteries, EV charging and energy efficiency upgrades.

The installers generating the strongest EOFY opportunities aren’t necessarily focused on price. They’re asking better questions, understanding customer priorities and creating urgency through smarter conversations.

Here are five EOFY conversation starters that can help turn stalled opportunities into signed projects before June 30.

1.”Are there projects you want installed before EOFY?”

This is one of the simplest and most effective EOFY questions you can ask.

Many businesses already know they need to reduce energy costs, upgrade infrastructure or improve sustainability performance. They just haven’t prioritised the project yet. EOFY creates a natural deadline.

Instead of leading with products or pricing, start with timing:

“Are there any projects you’d like operational before the end of the financial year?”

That conversation can quickly uncover opportunities around:

Commercial solar
Battery storage
EVs and EV charging
LED lighting upgrades
Energy monitoring systems

Customers are often far more ready to move in June than they were earlier in the year.

2.”Have you reviewed your EOFY tax position yet?”

EOFY tax planning remains a major driver of commercial purchasing decisions. For eligible businesses, the Instant Asset Write-Off may allow immediate deductions on qualifying business assets installed and ready for use before June 30. This creates a valuable opportunity to discuss bringing projects forward.

Useful conversation starters include:

“Have you spoken with your accountant about EOFY asset purchases?”
“Are you planning to invest in operational upgrades before June 30?”
“Would bringing this project forward help your FY26 tax position?”
Customers should always seek independent financial advice, but many businesses aren’t aware how timing can influence purchasing decisions.

EOFY urgency often comes from tax timing, not discounting.

3. “What are your energy costs looking like heading into FY27?”

Rising energy costs continue to affect businesses across almost every industry. EOFY is when many companies reassess:

Operating expenses
Profit margins
Energy consumption
Sustainability targets

That makes it the ideal time to shift the conversation away from equipment and towards business outcomes.

Instead of: “Would you like a solar quote?”

Try: “What are your energy costs looking like heading into the new financial year?”

That single question naturally opens discussions around:

ROI
Payback periods
Long-term savings
Energy independence
Future-proofing operations

The strongest EOFY conversations focus on reducing business costs, not simply selling equipment.

4. “Would finance help you bring the project forward?”

One of the biggest EOFY mistakes installers make is waiting for customers to ask about finance. Many businesses want to move ahead but remain cautious about cash flow, particularly late in the financial year. That’s why proactive finance conversations matter.

Questions like:

“Would monthly payments make this easier to implement before EOFY?”
“Are you trying to preserve working capital heading into FY27?”
“Would finance help you complete a larger upgrade now instead of staging it later?”

can completely change the pace of a project.

Finance can help customers:

Start saving on energy sooner
Avoid large upfront costs
Bundle equipment and installation together
Keep cash available for other business priorities

Often, the obstacle isn’t interest, it’s timing and cash flow.

5.”To be installed before June 30, we should lock this in soon.”

EOFY urgency becomes very real in June. Installer calendars fill quickly, equipment availability tightens and scheduling delays become more common. Customers often underestimate how long projects take to complete. That’s why clear, helpful urgency works far better than hard selling.

Try:

“To maximise the chance of installation before EOFY, we recommend confirming projects as early as possible.”

“June installation capacity is filling quickly, so now is the ideal time to secure scheduling.”

These conversations create urgency because they’re real, not manufactured.

The best EOFY sales strategy? Better conversations

EOFY isn’t just about promotions or discounts. For solar and energy efficiency installers, the biggest opportunities come from:

Asking better business questions
Talking about operational savings
Understanding customer timing
Introducing finance earlier
Creating genuine urgency around installation deadlines

Businesses are already thinking about costs, budgets, tax planning and FY27 goals. The installers engaging in those conversations now will be best positioned to convert opportunities before June 30.

Read our cheat sheet: 5 EOFY questions
every installer should be asking

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Smart Ease Chief Commercial Officer, Stefanie Di Trocchio, on leadership, industry challenges and being a woman in the renewables space

Justine — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 05:09:26 +0000

In 2023, women accounted for 38% of the workforce in the renewable energy industry, but only 13% held senior roles.

We’re proud to say that Smart Ease bucks this trend, with women making up around 80% of our global team, as well as leading both our Sales and Operations functions. Meanwhile, the driving force behind Smart Ease’s commercial and marketing strategy is Chief Commercial Officer, Stefanie Di Trocchio.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we sat down with Stef to discuss her stewardship of Smart Ease, insights on Australia’s renewable industry and experience as a woman in the corporate world.

1. What does a Chief Commercial Officer do exactly?

My primary focus is to shape commercial strategy and drive revenue growth. I also look after partnerships and integrations, oversee marketing and communications, and currently, I’m driving the rollout of a large tech project. There’s even a bit of HR thrown in. It’s a mixed bag!

2. In the past, you’ve described your career as a ‘rolling stone’. What has kept you at Smart Ease for over three years?

There are a few reasons, but the most important one to me is that the work aligns with my values. I feel like I’m working towards a valuable goal, which is to decarbonise our economy.

I also get bored quickly if I’m not being challenged and, thankfully, I don’t see that happening here. I learn a lot every day with evolving technologies, shifting priorities, and a constantly changing regulatory landscape. The industry and my role are always evolving, which means there’s always an opportunity for growth.

3. How has the renewables industry evolved since you’ve joined it? Any standout changes in the last three years?

There have been many. The regulatory, technological and energy landscape of today is constantly evolving – it looks far different today than it did when I first started.

But what I have found most interesting is that while the industry moves at such a fast pace and there is now widespread acceptance and adoption of renewable technologies, government support has been frustratingly slow. Since I started in the industry I’ve been craving a strong policy framework, because, so far, government support simply isn’t keeping up with what’s happening in the real world.

We’ve moved past the question of whether renewable technologies are worth it – there is a multi-billion-dollar industry and 4 million rooftop solar installations that answer that question quite definitively. But old arguments always seem to resurface, and the issue is so politicised that progress is constrained. It’s a shame because I genuinely believe that Australia could – and should! – be a renewable energy superpower.

I would love to see a bipartisan, long-term strategy that ensures energy security for Australia. So far, that has been sadly lacking.

4. How do you think we can overcome that and move past the politicisation of renewables?

What we do daily at Smart Ease is key to solving this problem.

We make renewable technologies accessible to all businesses and organisations. With every customer that invests in energy-efficiency equipment through us, they’re able to see the clear financial and ESG advantages of renewables. With that, we’re slowly building an army of advocates who understand and can vouch for renewables based on their own lived experiences.

5. The renewables sector is known to be male dominated. Have you found this to be challenging?

It is male dominated, but I’ve met many female leaders in the energy space, perhaps because I seek them out.

I can’t personally say I’ve found navigating this industry too challenging. For the most part, I’ve found the industry to be quite egalitarian.

It probably helps that I’m assertive and confident in my knowledge and skills. I take the time to learn what I don’t know, so I think I’ve gotten quite far by just being curious and hard-working.

In fact, the only time I would have to say I come up against any kind of gendered challenge is when men who aren’t in my industry assume that they know more than me about it. That’s incredibly frustrating, and is possibly a result of renewables being so politicised and the huge amount of misinformation that persists.

6. What do you think are the biggest challenges women face in the corporate world?

There’s a few!

The relentlessness of being dismissed and being spoken over.
Always being assumed to be the least experienced or less knowledgeable person in the room.
The frustration and fatigue that sets in when you’re in a workplace that condones a misogynistic culture. Always calling this out is exhausting and not calling it out is damaging. It’s a lose-lose situation and leads to low morale and burnout.

7. What advice would you give to a young woman at the start of her career?

Be confident in what you know and forget about imposter syndrome. Second-guessing yourself is a colossal waste of time – every minute you waste questioning yourself is one less minute towards progress.

And if you don’t know something, embrace it as a learning opportunity.

8. Do you have a female role-model that inspires you?

I have many!

The best thing about inspirational women is that they kind of form an invisible net for you – not a protective net, more like a buoyant one or a platform.

I like to imagine that every knot in the net represents a strong, smart and energetic woman, and I feel like I’m buoyed by every single one of them.

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Record-breaking 1GW commercial solar installations in 2024

Justine — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 04:40:23 +0000

Against a challenging economic backdrop, many Australian businesses chose to invest in energy resilience in 2024 with a record-breaking 1GW of solar power installed on commercial buildings.

According to solar market analyst SunWiz, this marks the first time the 1GW threshold has been surpassed for commercial solar installed in a single year, bringing the total commercial solar capacity installed since 2011 to 7GW.

This comes as residential solar market contracted by 1.6% in 2024, only the second contraction since 2015. This contraction was more than offset by the growth in commercial systems in the 15–100kW range, which grew by 16% to record levels.

Source: SunWiz, Feb 2025

“Australia’s solar PV revolution has long been driven by residential installations, but we’re finally seeing the commercial sector take up the mantle,” said Warwick Johnston, Managing Director of SunWiz. “Businesses – from local grocers to multi-site manufacturers – are recognising the immense value of solar, particularly with regard to energy-bill savings and ESG benefits.”

Deploying commercial funding for energy-efficiency equipment has gained momentum, enabling cash-mindful SMEs to invest in solar and begin their energy transition – while simultaneously cutting costs.

According to Guy Olian, CEO of Smart Ease, a leading specialist funder, installing solar – especially when supported by commercial funding – is increasingly viewed by businesses as an effective lever to improve cash flow.

“Financing solar makes clear commercial sense,” Olian explained. “It enables businesses to install a solar system with no upfront cost, and use energy-bill savings to cover repayments. Savings typically exceed the repayments, leaving extra cash to reinvest in profit-generating activities.”

This was the case for Penrose Glass, a glass manufacturing and repair business in NSW, which invested in a 31.9kW solar system using a Smart Ease Payment Plan in mid-2024. The system is estimated to generate 39.1MWh per year, saving the company approximately $12,900 annually and putting them in a cash-flow positive position.

Smart Ease’s agricultural customer, Brinsmeade Farms, saw similar results when they installed a 50kW solar system integrated with three batteries. The system is estimated to reduce their energy bill by 82 per cent, equating to over $29,000 in annual savings – well exceeding their annual system repayments.

“Solar power has proven popular for businesses of all shapes and sizes,” Johnston said. “A record volume of commercial solar was deployed on small businesses in 2024, and plenty of large businesses are rolling out solar power across their stores nationwide.”

Larger corporations see even greater solar savings. Japanese multinational Komatsu Mining, for example, is estimated to enjoy over $147,000 in annual savings from their 289kW solar install at their site Parkhurst, Queensland site. For Komatsu, now subject to mandatory climate reporting, solar-powered operations will prevent an estimated 185,892 kg of coal combustion annually.

Interested in more tailored sales advice?

Get in touch with your Sales Director to book in a 1:1 session.

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Portsea Camp’s 30-year old water system gets an energy-efficient overhaul

Justine — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 04:58:57 +0000

For over 75 years, Portsea Camp has provided a seaside escape and lifelong memories for the thousands of children who have spent their weekends and summer holidays there.

Operating as a social enterprise, all profits generated by the camp go toward subsidizing M.A.D. programs for over 1,000 socially and economically disadvantaged children, ensuring that kids from all backgrounds get to enjoy the invaluable camp experience.

As a not-for-profit organization, making large financial investments in infrastructure projects can be challenging. So, when Portsea Camp’s 30-year-old water system began to show signs of slowing down, securing funding to replace it made more sense than exhausting the camp’s own funds.

Project snapshot

Industry: Not-for-profit

Channel Partner: Solahart Mornington

Equipment:
21 Rheem heat pumps

Payment Plan term: 5 years

Through a zero-upfront Smart Ease Payment Plan, Portsea Camp was able to invest in 21 new Rheem heat pumps, installed by energy-efficiency equipment experts Solahart Mornington.

Strategically placed around the camp, these heat pumps ensure that showers, bathrooms, laundry facilities, and the community hall can meet the needs of campers. Best of all, their energy-efficient design is expected to reduce running costs to just 30% of the previous system, leading to significant monthly savings.

With a new state-of-the-art water system pumping through the grounds, Portsea Camp can now offer its campers the great luxury of a hot shower after those icy swims in the bay!

Start a conversation with Smart Ease and find out how our Payment Plans can help you meet sustainability goals and save on energy costs.

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Navigating the commercial market in 2025

Justine — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 06:35:00 +0000

2024 was a tough year for Australian businesses. According to CreditorWatch’s November 2024 figures (1):

Insolvencies rose a staggering 57% year on year.
The average business failure and closure rate across all sectors reached 5.1%, the highest level since August 2020.

In even more sobering news, CreditorWatch predicts continued – and potentially increased – insolvencies in the first half of 2025.

But despite the tough economic environment, latest data from SunWiz indicates that businesses are still prioritising investment in their energy-efficiency. In fact, December 2024 was the best month on record for STC-Commercial (15 kW to 100 kW) segments with particularly strong growth in the 75 kW to 100 kW range (2).

Business owners are starting to recognise that investing in energy efficiency can be an effective way to mitigate rising operational costs.

With a challenging business climate and a growing appetite for energy efficiency, how should installers navigate the commercial market in 2025?

1. Target industries strategically

In the current market, it’s critical to carefully select the industries you target. Some sectors are faring worse than others.

According to CreditorWatch, Hospitality leads in business failure rates, late payments and ATO tax debt defaults over $100,000 (3).

Other high-risk sectors include (4):

Administrative and Support Services
Arts and Recreation Services
Transport, Postal and Warehousing
Construction

Businesses in these industries are likely prioritising short-term financial relief over longer-term investments in energy efficiency. They may also struggle to get an application for financing over the line, making them less than ideal prospects.

Instead, consider focusing on lower-risk industries. As of October 2024, the following sectors had the highest proportion of businesses rated as “low” or “very low” risk (5):

Wholesale trade
Manufacturing
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

These industries not only have healthier financial outlooks but also stand to gain significant benefits from energy-efficiency upgrades. Data shows that Manufacturing is Australia’s most energy-intensive industry, while Agriculture ranks fourth (6).

With strong potential savings, relatively stable financial conditions and low-risk profiles, businesses in Manufacturing and Agriculture could be excellent prospects to target.

2. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach

As Australia’s commercial decarbonisation market matures, appealing to a sophisticated customer and standing out from competitors will require you to be more strategic with your sales pitch. The generic “save money with solar” proposition, which may have worked in the past, is unlikely to resonate as effectively with today’s commercial audience

The key? Offer tailored, optimised solutions, not generic, one-size-fits-all packages.

Learn about the target industries you have selected and their specific business challenges and their commercial goals. For instance:

Do they face high cooling, heating or processing costs?
Is cash flow a significant concern?
Are they planning to expand their operations or move into new markets?
Are there any industry-specific rebates they could leverage?

Understanding these details allows you to propose the most suitable and compelling solutions.

3. Leverage trending products

A maturing market also brings opportunities in emerging subsectors. While the skyrocketing pace of solar PV adoption has slowed a little in the last few years, industry experts predict that we will see those steep trajectories in growth rates with heat pumps and batteries (7).

These technologies are becoming more affordable and better understood, driving increased demand. Concerns about grid stability (8) have further heightened interest in batteries, with many states rolling out rebates to support their adoption.

So, how can you capitalise on these growing markets?

Bundle multiple equipment types
Don’t limit your customers’ potential savings – or your deal size – by selling just one type of equipment. Consider offering bundled packages, such as Solar + Battery or Solar + Heat Pump, at discounted prices to encourage adoption.
Revisit previous commercial solar projects
Look at your past commercial solar installations. Could these customers benefit from adding a battery to their system now?

4. Always offer finance

In the current economic climate, businesses are understandably being mindful of their cash reserves, so spending on a decarbonisation project may be lower on their list of priorities.

Yet, delaying their decarbonisation efforts keeps businesses drowning in high energy bills.

The solution? Investing in energy-efficiency equipment without any capital.

By using a Payment Plan or PPA to invest in energy-efficiency equipment, a business can reduce their exposure to electricity market volatility as well as save money without spending any of their own capital. In most cases, monthly energy-bill savings exceed the cost of repayments, resulting in a cash-flow positive position.

Helping business owners understand that a cash-flow positive position leaves money in their pocket each month can be an extremely powerful selling point in today’s business environment.

Despite the challenges in the commercial market, there are plenty of opportunities for installers who plan effectively and adapt to evolving customer needs.

By focusing on high-potential industries, offering tailored solutions, leveraging trending technologies and always selling the cash-flow benefits, you can take full advantage of growing demand within the commercial sector.

(1) https://creditorwatch.com.au/blog/tough-start-to-2025-ahead-for-australian-businesses-sector-outlook-worst-for-hospitality/

(2) https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/01/15/australias-rooftop-solar-market-ends-2024-on-high/

(3) https://creditorwatch.com.au/blog/business-failures-at-highest-rate-since-peak-of-pandemic/

(4) ibid

(5) https://creditorwatch.com.au/blog/creditorwatch-rates-16-2-of-hospitality-businesses-as-high-risk-or-above-forecast-closure-rate-of-8-9-over-next-12-months-for-the-sector/

(6) https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/energy/energy-account-australia/latest-release

(7) SunWiz, July 2024. 2024 Annual SunWiz Australian PV Report

(8) https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2024/05/07/battery-energy-storage-is-must-have-to-realise-australias-renewable-potential/

Interested in more tailored sales advice?

Get in touch with your Sales Director to book in a 1:1 session.

The post Navigating the commercial market in 2025 appeared first on Smart Ease.

Meet Rho, the powerhouse team lead behind our customer service

Justine — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 04:49:02 +0000

Being responsive, empathetic and solution-oriented are qualities we at Smart Ease take great pride in. These traits are often highlighted by our customers and Channel Partners as the defining feature of their experience with us.

Rho Fortich, Smart Ease’s longest-serving customer-service team member, has been instrumental in shaping and championing our winning customer-service approach. Here, she shares a little about her work ethos.

1. What’s been the highlight of your time at Smart Ease so far?

The biggest highlight so far has been being made team lead. It showed me that I’ve earned the company’s trust, and that Rob and Guy believe in my capabilities and value my contributions.

2. What has kept you at Smart Ease for five years?

There are a few reasons. Firstly, I genuinely love being in a customer-service role.

Secondly, I feel fulfilled knowing that what we’re doing serves an important purpose. Renewable energy isn’t something we think about a lot where I live, as most people are just trying to survive and get by. But it’s been so inspiring to see, over the years, how Smart Ease is truly working to be part of the solution in tackling climate change.

And finally, I have great admiration and respect for Rob, Guy, and everyone at Smart Ease. They’re excellent leaders who empower employees and encourage us to think outside the box. They were also incredibly kind and supportive during the COVID years, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

3. A lot of your day-to-day work involves talking to customers about getting payments up to date. How do you stay positive when having difficult conversations?

Yes, collections can be tough, but I manage because I genuinely want to help people. I get a lot of satisfaction from knowing I’ve helped a customer.

Even if I’m dealing with a customer who is upset or angry, I approach the situation with as much empathy as possible. I listen to them, understand where they’re coming from, and make them feel at ease. I’ll speak to their installer (our Channel Partner) and use the tools I have available to reach a mutually agreeable outcome.

And ultimately, even if a conversation is negative, I believe life is too short to be grumpy. I can shake it off and move on quite quickly.

4. How has Smart Ease evolved in the five years you’ve been here?

There have been many changes, and the culture has evolved over the years. But what stands out most is how much we’ve grown.

When I started, I think there were around 2,000 active transactions. Now we’re handling more than five times that number! Witnessing that growth has been incredible.

5. What is the best thing about your role?

The best thing about being in customer service is the balance between strategy and human connection. I love analysing challenges and finding solutions.

I get a lot of joy from making our customers feel valued and supported. Helping someone move from uncertainty to satisfaction is deeply rewarding.

6. What traits do you think make you so effective at providing quality customer service?

I’m quite considerate, so I strive to make the customer feel heard. I also have an analytical mind, which helps me think critically and look for actionable solutions.

And I don’t stop until I’m confident an issue is resolved. I make sure I’ve exhausted every option for the customer.

7. How do you wind down after a big work week?

I’m very family-oriented, so I usually spend time with them, enjoy good food, drink cold beers, or play some tennis.

8. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Focus on what you can control. This advice has guided me both personally and professionally, reminding me to channel my energy where it truly matters and not get bogged down by things outside my influence.

Control what you can and don’t worry about the rest!

Chat to Rho Fortich to learn more about Smart Ease Payment Plans.

The post Meet Rho, the powerhouse team lead behind our customer service appeared first on Smart Ease.

Gordon Farm’s state-of-the-art, energy-efficient cow hotel

Justine — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 05:38:03 +0000

At the start of the millennium, roughly 900 dairy farms operated in the northern district area of Campaspe Shire in Victoria’s north. Unfortunately that number has now dwindled to just 40, as tough economic pressures and water scarcity have forced many multi-generational dairy farmers to close.

The Gordon family is one of the few that has managed to weather the storms.

Ross Gordon, along with his sons Drew and Glen, have been running their family’s dairy farm in Cohuna since 1995. Despite challenging times, they have not only kept the farm afloat but also expanded it – growing their herd from 200 to 750 cows and diversifying into crop farming.

Knowing that long-term success requires foresight and innovation, the Gordons recently decided to invest in modern farming methods to ensure the farm’s future.

The problem

The first step in their plan was to build a state-of-the-art mega dairy shed that would improve milk production and water efficiency.

The Gordons were also determined to incorporate energy-efficiency solutions to address one of the farm’s biggest challenges: soaring electricity costs.

“Electricity is one of our biggest costs. All the water we get is through irrigation, so we have to keep those pumps going 24/7. Then milk needs to be stored at 4°C, so we’re spending a lot on refrigeration.

“We’ve also now got banks, supermarkets and customers all wanting to know what our carbon footprint is. Bringing this down and doing our bit to get to Net Zero became more important.”

– Ross Gordon, Gordon Farms

Project snapshot

Industry: Dairy farming

Channel Partner: Solar Australia & Eagle Direct

Equipment:

34x 55″ ECVCS FAN ASSEMBLY, 1.5HP, 230/400V, IE3, DEFLECTOR KIT
31x 72″ ECVCS FAN ASSEMBLY, 3HP, 230/400V, IE3, DEFLECTOR KIT,
TURBO CONE
46 x VFD, i550 Protec, NEMA 4X, 1.5 HP, 400-480V ,
31 x VFD, i550 Protec, NEMA 4X, 3 HP, 400-480V
12 x 55″ Fans and 88 x High Bay LED
200 Trina Solar Panels
1x SMA Inverter

Payment Plan term: 120 months

The solution

The Gordons partnered with solar experts Solar Australia and farm-design specialists Eagle Direct to plan a system that would integrate various energy-efficiency technologies for a cost-effective solution.

After months of technical assessments, the teams proposed a comprehensive approach: a 102kW solar array, a HVAC system with over 75 industrial fans, and LED lighting throughout the shed. Together, these technologies would reduce energy costs and create a more comfortable environment for the cows – a key factor in improving milk production.

“Our specialty is in building what I call ‘cow hotels,’ where the cows have a full buffet, a comfortable bed, a cooling system and a flushing toilet. And we do all that because cows respond well to it. They love it!

“It’s all about maximum cow comfort – the more comfortable the cow is, the more milk they produce.”

– Mike Ryan, Eagle Direct

A cow’s thermal neutral zone is between 4°C and 18°C. Above this range, cows experience heat stress, which leads to reduced milk production that can take months to recover. Installing industrial fans throughout the shed was a crucial part of the design in order to maintain this ideal temperature. Meanwhile, powering the fans with solar energy would make the cost of running them feasible.

With the technical aspects sorted, the only hurdle left was to finance the project.

Solar Australia’s Tim Dixon reached out to Smart Ease to arrange a flexible payment plan that could cover the multiple equipment types being installed by two different providers.

“We try our best to not just be installers but to be energy partners. Rather than throwing a couple of panels on the roof and calling it a day, we get to know the customer’s needs and work with them to come up with the best solution.

In this case, we knew the upfront cost of the project would make it impossible. So I got in touch with Smart Ease to organise a Payment Plan. It’s not easy to finance a project like this with multiple players involved, but the Smart Ease team got it done.”

– Tim Dixon, Solar Australia

The win

Since moving the cows into the new climate-controlled shed, milk production on Gordon Farms has increased by 30%. Additionally, the expansion has allowed the Gordons to dedicate more land to crop farming, incorporating both summer and winter crops into the mix and further diversifying his business.

The solar system now generates 173MW annually, covering roughly 50% of the farm’s electricity consumption and saving an estimated $33,000 on electricity bills each year.

“It’s made a huge difference. We’ve gone from producing 18,000 litres to 28,000 litres of milk and have been able to add an extra 50 cows – it really helps to pay the bills!

It’s nice knowing that what we’ve planned is actually working, and the solar and fans are a big part of that. Plus, having the loans locked in for fixed terms has been great and takes away a lot of the worry about future costs.”

– Ross Gordon

Start a conversation with Smart Ease and find out how our Payment Plans can help you generate solar savings

The post Gordon Farm’s state-of-the-art, energy-efficient cow hotel appeared first on Smart Ease.

Fact OR Fiction: Breaking Down Common EV Concerns

Justine — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 10:56:34 +0000

In January 2025, Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standards will come into effect, establishing stricter fuel efficiency requirements for all new cars entering the Australian market.

When similar programs were rolled out in countries like New Zealand and the UK, they resulted in sharp increases in the uptake of EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). All indications suggest we can expect the same to happen here, with record YoY sales of EVs and PHEVs happening already in the last two years.

Despite this rising interest, many still express hesitation and distrust toward EV technology. A recent Smart Ease survey revealed that only 21% of respondents were interested in purchasing an EV, citing several common concerns.

Are their concerns justified? Let’s explore.

“I’m worried that my EV battery will run out while driving.”

Range anxiety has long been the greatest concern people have about EVs.

A decade ago, this concern was valid. But today’s EVs can travel 300–600 km on a single charge. Meanwhile, the average Australian drives just 43 km per day (1). In theory, even at the lowest range, an EV could drive from A to B for a week on a single charge.

For long-distance drives, rapidly growing, public fast-charging infrastructure, portable EV chargers, and mobile apps like PlugShare that map EV chargers make these journeys increasingly achievable.

“I don’t trust the safety of current EV technology. I’d like to wait until it’s more advanced.”

The most common EV safety concerns are fears of lithium battery fires, vehicle weight and crash performance.

Lithium battery fires

As of September 2024, there have been just six EV battery fires in Australia out of more than 180,000 EVs on the road.

Statistically, the available data shows that the fire risk is between 20 and 80 times greater for petrol and diesel vehicles (2) than for an EV.

Vehicle weight

While it’s true that EVs are generally heavier than their ICE counterparts, and so could potentially do more damage to an ICE vehicle in a collision, this is also true for standard utes and trucks.

In fact, a standard ute tends to be heavier than the average ICE vehicle and EVs (3).

Crash performance

Because EV batteries are typically placed under the vehicle’s floor, their weight and lower centre of gravity help to prevent rollover incidents associated with a higher rate of fatalities (4).

Also, because they’re newer, EVs and PHEVs are typically equipped with the latest safety technology.

When it comes to safety, EVs perform well compared to traditional ICE vehicles. While advancements will likely improve safety, current standards are already high.

“There aren’t enough public chargers available.”

This is a valid concern.

While public EV chargers are popping up at an incredible rate – last year Australia saw a 75% increase in the number of public EV charging locations (5) – experts say public charging capabilities still lag behind where they should be.

Currently, EV-charging usually takes place at home. While this may be the case for the next couple of years, considerable federal and state funding for public EV charging is a promising sign that a robust public EV-charging system is on the horizon.

“EVs are way too expensive.”

Like range anxiety, this was once a genuine concern.

But increased market competition and plummeting battery costs have made EVs more affordable than ever.

You can buy a brand new EV in Australia for less than $40,000 (6), similar in price to ICE vehicles.

“EVs aren’t suitable for regional areas, farm settings or off-roading.”

The current range of an average EV is 300–600 km, which is ample for most drivers – even in regional or rural areas.

Earlier this year, the first electric utes arrived in Australia. Electric utes offer many advantages over ICE vehicles, including instant torque, fast acceleration, the ability to power devices and tools, and even the capacity to tow heavy loads – though this does tend to impact driving range (7).

As more models of electric utes become available, we will likely see reduced prices and increased capabilities, increasing their suitability for farm settings and off-roading.

Many of the most common EV concerns are simply outdated and no longer valid. With ambitious Net Zero targets and a booming EV market, technological advancements continue to occur rapidly.

As a result, the EVs of today are not only safe, cost-effective and environmentally friendly, they’re increasingly more efficient than their ICE counterparts.

[1] https://www.compareinsurance.com.au/car-insurance/car-insurance-calculator

[2] https://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/2023/09/electric-vehicle-fires-are-very-rare-the-risk-for-petrol-and-diesel-vehicles-is-at-least-20-times-higher/

[3] https://www.mynrma.com.au/electric-vehicles/basics/are-evs-safe

[4] https://www.mynrma.com.au/electric-vehicles/basics/are-evs-safe

[5] https://hamiltonlocke.com.au/the-future-of-ev-charging-infrastructure-in-australia/

[6] https://www.mynrma.com.au/electric-vehicles/buying/the-most-affordable-electric-vehicles-in-australia

[7] https://www.mynrma.com.au/electric-vehicles/buying/electric-utes-australia