The main buildings at both campuses feature large, flat roofs fully exposed to the sun. Combined with the school’s high daytime energy use, this meant solar systems would be highly effective at both locations, capturing solar energy throughout the day to power the school with minimal waste.

For optimal performance, the Smart Solar Solutions team recommended substantial systems at both sites. The Springvale campus received 360 Jinko solar panels integrated with three Sungrow inverters, while the smaller Officer campus received 270 Jinko solar panels with two Sungrow inverters. 

The only remaining consideration was the cost of the project, which was significant due to the size of the systems.

Fortunately, Smart Solar Solutions is a Smart Ease–accredited installer and was able to offer the college a $0 upfront Smart Ease Payment Plan to fund the installation. This allowed Minaret College to preserve its cash reserves and instead use monthly energy-bill savings to help pay for the system over time.

It was an easy decision.

With the help of Smart Solar Solutions, Taksim applied online for a 60-month Payment Plan with Smart Ease. As a not-for-profit school, the application easily met credit requirements and was quickly approved.

Both systems were installed in the second half of 2025 and are now fully operational.

For Minaret College, this clean energy project represents a significant milestone. Alongside supporting sustainability goals and setting a strong example for students, the school is now benefiting from a substantial reduction in operating costs and a clearer pathway for future growth.

The first is a 450kW solar array comprising 982 Trina Solar panels and four Fronius inverters. The second is a 245.50kW system featuring 491 Trina Solar panels and two Fronius inverters. Together, the installations represent a significant renewable-energy investment that will help power the farm’s operations, reduce energy bills and lower carbon emissions.

For Tripod Farmers, cutting carbon does not just align with its values – it also makes strong business sense. The farm supplies produce across Australia to independent grocers, restaurants and major supermarkets such as Coles. With mandatory climate reporting now in place for large companies like Coles, being a low-emissions supplier provides a clear advantage by helping those retailers reduce and report their Scope 3 emissions.

To make the transition to solar more accessible, the project was funded through a Smart Ease Payment Plan arranged by Choice Energy. The 60-month plan allowed Tripod Farmers to install both systems for $0 upfront, and use energy-bill savings generated by the solar systems to help cover repayments over time.

This approach meant the farm could move ahead with a large-scale sustainability project while preserving capital for other areas of the business.

And the investment has already gained recognition. Tripod Farmers was acknowledged for its sustainability efforts with an award at the The Weekly Times Coles 2025 Farmer of the Year Awards, further reinforcing its reputation as an innovative and forward-thinking Australian farming business.

Knowing that installing solar panels on the roof of a heritage-listed building could be complex, Kennedy contacted commercial solar specialists Energy Control to assess the site and propose a suitable solution.

After reviewing the building, the Energy Control team recommended a carefully designed solar system comprising 103 Longi panels and two Solax inverters. The system was sized to deliver meaningful energy savings while ensuring the panels would not negatively impact the building’s historic façade.

To maximise the value of the system, Energy Control also recommended integrating battery storage. The 22 Solax batteries allow excess solar energy generated during the day to be stored and used later, particularly during the evening when Airbnb guests are using heating, cooling, lighting and other energy-intensive appliances.

Alongside the technical design, Energy Control also helped Kennedy navigate the most cost-effective way to fund the project. The team advised taking advantage of the federal battery rebate to reduce the total project cost, while also making use of a $0 upfront Smart Ease Payment Plan to maintain a healthy cash flow.

The 84-month plan allowed Rutherglen Convent to install both the solar and battery system without a large upfront expense. Instead, the business can repay the system over time with manageable monthly instalments, supported by the energy-bill savings generated by the system.

Installation was completed in the second half of 2025, just in time to support the Convent through the high energy demands of the summer season.

Today, the solar and battery system is helping Rutherglen Convent better manage its energy costs while supporting the sustainability of the historic property. By combining renewable energy with smart financing, the venue has found a practical way to protect both its bottom line and its future.

To overcome that barrier, AllState Solar suggested that Zach use a $0 upfront Smart Ease Payment Plan to finance the project.  

By August 2025, installation of the battery system was complete.

Zach’s farm is now powered primarily by clean solar energy. During the day, electricity is supplied directly from the farm’s solar panels, while any excess energy is stored in the new battery system for use at night.  

By being proactive with his storage investment, Zach has reduced the farm’s grid reliance and significantly lowered monthly energy bills.  

Best of all, he achieved all this without spending any cash upfront – and secured a 30% discount on his equipment.  

When it comes to investing in clean energy, it truly pays off to act sooner rather than later!

To manage the cost of the project, Rick chose a $0 upfront Smart Ease Payment Plan. 

“Avoiding the upfront cost meant we could start seeing savings while paying off the system,” said Rick Martino. “And the reduction in our energy bills has already been significant.” 

With the new system in place, MEH is now cutting operational costs, lowering emissions, and setting a strong example for others in the construction sector to follow.

David contacted Allume, the company behind SolShare, a world-first solar-sharing technology specifically designed for apartments. SolShare shares energy from a single rooftop solar system  fairly  between all residents of an apartment building.  

According to Allume’s Housing Partnership Manager William Anstee, shared solar using SolShare is far more efficient than having multiple individual systems fighting for roof space. “SolShare provides clean electricity to every single unit and the common areas, and ensures everyone receives the same set amount of solar associated with their ownership. 

“Plus, it delivers higher solar self-consumption, so everyone is really getting the best bang for buck from the rooftop system.” 

On top of providing the most efficient technological solution, Allume was able to point David in the direction of an experienced SolShare installer, One Power Solar & Electricial, and a finance partner, Smart Ease.  

By using a $0 upfront Smart Ease Payment Plan, David and his fellow apartment owners could not only enjoy the SoAR rebate, they could do so without draining their sinking fund or requiring a special levy. Additionally, it meant they could bundle in other decarbonisation technologies, like solar storage, onto their payment plan – further maximising their solar consumption. 

The win 

In August 2025, the One Power Solar & Electrical team completed the installation of a 12.3kW solar PV system and a 25kWh battery storage system, integrated with SolShare technology.  

Through the collaborative efforts of Allume, Smart Ease and One Power Solar & Electrical, the owners corporation successfully applied for the SoAR rebate, resulting in a 50% discount on the solar equipment. The remaining cost of the installation will be paid through manageable monthly instalments, divided up and added as a small additional cost onto regular strata fees. 

For the apartment residents, the outcome is a significant drop in their energy bills – likely far greater than the incremental increase in their strata fees. Plus, according to research by Domain**, they could potentially see a marked increase in the value of their property now that it has been fitted with long-term energy-efficiency infrastructure. Wins across the board!

* https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/solar-for-apartment-residents-soar-grant-program  

** Domain+Insight+-+Sustainability+Report+2025.pdf

The results quickly spoke for themselves. A year later, Brodie expanded the system with three additional PV units and three more battery inverters — again via a Smart Ease Payment Plan.

Then, in 2024, he went even bigger: a 193kW solar car park array, also funded through Smart Ease.

The win

Over the past five years, Brodie has used three Smart Ease Payment Plans to transform BP Shinju into a near self-sufficient business.

Today, 95% of the station’s energy comes from solar, with the remaining 5% provided by backup generation. The result is energy independence, lower costs, and long-term resilience – future-proofing the business against rising prices and unreliable grid supply.

The solution

Bill turned to Ausmore Energy’s Jeylan Atkin, who visited the warehouse in Altona North to recommend an energy-saving solution.

The warehouse’s large, flat roof provided the perfect site for a solar array. To maximise savings, Jeylan proposed a 330kW solar system comprising 600 Risen solar panels and three Sungrow inverters.

To manage the cost of the investment, Jeylan recommended a $0 upfront Smart Ease Payment Plan. This meant the business could install the system with no upfront capital, paying instead in manageable monthly instalments. The arrangement effectively reallocated existing energy expenditure, while allowing the company to preserve capital for other priorities.

The system was installed in February 2025.

 The win

Tim and Terry’s Oyster Supply is now powered by clean energy. For a seafood wholesaler, this is not only a major sustainability win but also a powerful PR story: the fishermen who supply them and the restaurants who buy from them all benefit from reduced emissions in their supply chain.

The biggest win, however, is financial. The business has slashed its reliance on the grid, protecting itself from volatile energy prices and reducing exposure to blackout risks – securing both long-term savings and resilience.

For Tim and Terry’s, “if it’s not good enough for us, it’s not good enough for our customers” now extends beyond seafood to the way they power their business for a cleaner future.

Although these systems would result in a significant reduction in energy bills, they also required a considerable upfront cost.

To overcome the cost barrier, Adapt Energy suggested a Smart Ease Payment Plan, allowing Passionate Paws to proceed with the solar installation with $0 upfront cost. Instead of paying out of pocket, the business could fund the system through manageable monthly instalments – using their energy-bill savings to cover repayments.

The win

All three systems were fully installed by October 2024. Each one is projected to be cash-flow positive, meaning the monthly energy savings exceed the cost of the repayments.

For a business in growth mode, this outcome is a clear win – freeing up capital each month to reinvest in equipment, expansion, or further improving the experience for its eclectic mix of patients.