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. 

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 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.

Like the rest of Victoria, we’ve been eagerly awaiting more details on the VEEU’s highly anticipated C&I Solar Activity program.

And while we still can’t point you to the detailed handbook (apparently, it’s still being written), here’s what we learned after attending DEECA’s info session last week – and it didn’t disappoint!

Eligibility

• Victoria-based businesses are eligible, including Not-for-profits. 
• Solar installations must be between 30kW and 200kW, with a 30kVA minimum inverter size.
• Installations can be new or upgrades to existing systems, provided a VEECs rebate has not already been claimed on the existing system.
• Only one project per NMI. A business cannot apply for the rebate multiple times, even if projects are under the 200kW threshold.
• Installations completed after 29 September 2025 may be eligible. No end date has yet been specified.
• Equipment must be Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved and include monitoring/performance tracking capability.
• Installer must have SAA GCPV accreditation and be registered with the VEU.
• Projects must be grid-connected. Fully off-grid systems are ineligible.
• Customers cannot have been acquired via doorknocking or telemarketing.

Rebate specifics

• Unlike the existing VEECs setup, the new C&I Solar Activity program is stackable with federal rebates:
  • 30–100 kW: VEECs + STCs
  • 100–200 kW: VEECs + LGCs
• Another new feature is that the rebate is “deemed,” meaning the rebate amount is released as an upfront payment, not 18 months post-installation.
• Maximum rebate amount: $34,300.
• The program is strictly commercial. Installers must take care when scoping solar for farms with residential dwellings – to qualify for VEECs, the solar system must only service the business operations. Supporting evidence may be required.

What’s next

DEECA will release all final program details and FAQs on 31 October 2025.

In the meantime, installers would be wise to start strategically planning their commercial lead-gen and sales strategies now. As every Victorian solar installer begins to incorporate VEECs rebates into their solar proposals, how will yours stand out?

Here’s one idea: combine the VEECs rebate with a $0 upfront Smart Ease Payment Plan to offer your prospect bigger savings with no capital outlay. It will make it impossible to say no!