Like many Australian manufacturing businesses, Penrose Glass faced rising electricity bills in recent years – a challenge they were determined to address.
Founded in 1919 by Albert Victor Penrose, the NSW-based glass manufacturing and repair business is now managed by fourth-generation leader Michael Penrose. Its longevity and success are a testament to its adaptability.
When Penrose Glass transitioned from hand-cutting to fully automated glass cutting, the company doubled in size and became one of NSW’s leading glass specialists, with multiple sites across the state.
In 2024, the Penrose team decided it was time for another leap forward: investing in solar to reduce operating costs and protect against future energy price rises.
Project snapshot
Industry: Manufacturing
Channel Partner: Unified Energy Services
System Size: 31.9kW
Equipment:
50x JA Solar panels
1x Sungrow Inverter
Payment Plan term: 5 years
They engaged Unified Energy Services in early 2024, and by September, Unified had installed a 31.9kW solar system at their Kogarah warehouse. Unified’s Will Barham recommended using a Smart Ease Payment Plan, allowing Penrose Glass to avoid any upfront capital outlay and instead pay via manageable monthly instalments – preserving cash reserves while improving cash flow.
The win
The new system is expected to generate 39.1MWh of clean electricity per year, avoiding 39.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions, and is projected to save Penrose Glass approximately $12,900 annually on energy bills.
In a year when the average NSW business saw energy costs rise by 10%, these savings represented a major win.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a small or large user of power—solar cuts the cost significantly and pays itself off within a few years,” said Michael Penrose, Director at Penrose Glass.
Start a conversation with Smart Ease and find out how our Payment Plans can help you meet sustainability goals and save on energy costs.