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.

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.

For any business, rollercoaster wholesale energy prices make forecasting annual operating expenses (OPEX) extremely difficult – and long-term planning even harder.

The solution

In early 2025, founder Peter Thomas decided it was time to take control of PhotobookShop’s energy costs. With a strong understanding of customer values and an eye on long-term sustainability, he saw an opportunity to make a smart business decision that also supported the environment.

“We’re always looking for ways to operate more sustainably while reducing long-term costs. Investing in solar was a smart move both environmentally and financially – it aligned perfectly with our values and goals as a business.”
– Peter Thomas, Founder, PhotobookShop

Peter engaged Chase Renewables, one of Victoria’s leading commercial solar installers, to assess the company’s Reservoir headquarters. With a large flat roof, the warehouse was well suited to a rooftop solar system capable of offsetting a significant portion of the business’s energy use.

Chase Renewables recommended a system made up of 310 Longi solar panels and two Sungrow inverters, with a total system size of 172kW.

The recommended system would generate major long-term savings — but came with a considerable price tag.

To remove the upfront cost barrier, Chase Renewables suggested a Smart Ease Payment Plan, which allowed the project to proceed with zero upfront outlay while helping to manage cash flow.

“It allowed us to implement the project without the upfront capital outlay, so we could start seeing the benefits of solar straight away while preserving cash flow for other priorities.”
– Peter Thomas

The win

The system was installed in October 2024 and is working exactly as expected. According to Peter, the drop in energy bills has been significant.

Less than a year into the solar investment, he’s already considering adding a battery to boost energy independence and increase savings even further.

By reducing dependence on the grid, PhotobookShop now has greater visibility and control over future energy expenditure – all while reducing its carbon footprint and aligning more closely with its sustainability goals.