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Solar for apartments made simple: Collaroy’s Frazer Street

Demanzo Team — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:47:32 +0000

According to NSW’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), less than 2% of apartment buildings in NSW currently have solar systems installed. 

Because residents of apartments share a roof, organising and funding a shared solar installation can be tricky, and, to date, has caused the lag in uptake.

But thankfully, new technologies, increasingly streamlined processes and Smart Ease payment solutions for strata companies, are making solar for apartments far more accessible.

In fact, it was this combination of factors that enabled a successful solar and storage installation at 16-18 Frazer Street in Collaroy, NSW.

The solution

In February 2025, the DCCEEW unveiled their Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) rebate program which promised to cover 50% of the cost of a solar installation on apartment buildings.

Attracted by this offer, treasurer of the apartment’s owner’s corporation, David Mcdonald decided to investigate installing solar on the roof of the 33-unit block on Frazer Street, Collaroy.

Project snapshot

Industry: Property management

Channel Partner: One Power Solar & Electrical

Solar system size: 12.3kW

Battery system size: 25kWh

Equipment:

1 x Sungrow 10kW Hybrid Inverter

28 x JA 440W Bifacial Panels

5 x 5kWh SBH Commercial battery stack

Payment Plan term: 5 years  

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

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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4 (very limited-time!) energy rebates that could win you more deals before year end

Demanzo Team — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:34:33 +0000

In the last two quarters a raft of new clean energy rebates have been launched, each seemingly more attractive than the last. And all with a very short shelf life.

So which ones do you need to be across to ensure your commercial prospects don’t miss out?

Here’s our latest list:

Round 3 of the Energy Innovation Fund (VIC)

Just announced last week, the highly anticipated third round of Victoria’s Energy Innovation Fund is dedicated to industrial electrification, with a focus on the food and beverage processing and manufacturing sector.

Funding amount – 50% of matched funding up to $2 million per project

Total Funding pool – $10 million

Application period – Monday 29 September – Friday 28 November 2025

Project eligibility – Project must deliver the replacement of fossil fuels with electricity as an input to produce food and beverage products for human or animal consumption. Examples include, but are not limited to electrode boilers, air-to-fluid and fluid-to-fluid heat pumps, electric dryers and electric thermal energy storage.

Learn more via: https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/grants/energy-innovation-fund

Powering Business Grant (SA)

In August, the SA government unveiled its new Powering Business Grant rebate to incentivise SMEs and NFPs to invest in energy-efficiency upgrades and begin saving on energy bills.

Funding amount – Between $2,500 – $75,000 per eligible business

Total Funding pool – $20 million

Application period – Monday 18 August – Friday 31 October 2025 (or when funding is exhausted)

Project eligibility
Stream 1: battery OR battery + solar projects. The grant amount will be based on the size and capacity of the system. Solar only projects are ineligible.
Stream 2: energy-efficiency upgrades. Grants of up to 50% can be used for upgrades like the installation of new refrigeration equipment, building insulation and lighting upgrades.

Learn more via: https://business.sa.gov.au/programs/powering-business-grants

Solar for Apartment Residents (NSW)

With only 2% of apartments buildings in NSW currently fitted with solar, the state government identified a real gap in solar accessibility for apartment residents. The Solar for Apartment Residents (SoAR) rebate was rolled out in February 2025 to try and fill this gap and is available to NSW strata companies and owner’s corporations.

Funding amount – 50% of matched funding up to $150,000 per project

Total Funding pool – $25 million

Application period – Friday 28 February – Monday 30 March 2026 (or when funding is exhausted)

Project eligibility – Equipment and installation costs associated with solar system installations on apartment buildings.

Learn more via: https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/rebates-grants-and-schemes/solar-apartment-residents

Cheaper Home Batteries Program (Federal)

You would have to be living under a rock if you hadn’t heard of this one yet. But what you might not have properly considered is that:

It applies to businesses too. Why target business owners over households? Businesses stand to gain bigger bill savings my investing in solar storage, plus commercial solar deals are bigger. Bigger deal = bigger margin.

Industry experts are already warning that funding will run out ahead of the 2030 expiration date. In fact, according to research by SolarQuotes, even when factoring in the gradual decline of the funding amount, the scheme could run out of money by early 2028. Stress this urgency with your prospects!

It’s stackable with state rebates like the ones above. So, if you are selling the federal battery rebate in silo, you could be missing out on additional savings for your prospect.

Need a hand navigating these rebates – or structuring a $0 upfront plan to maximise them? Get in touch.

Interested in Smart Ease Payment Plans for strata companies?

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Smart Ease funding for strata companies explained

Demanzo Team — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 12:44:59 +0000

Earlier this year we announced that Smart Ease funding solutions are now available to strata companies, effectively helping apartment residents across Australia to access solar savings.

While one in three Australian houses have solar, only 2.5% of apartment buildings do. That represents a hugely underserved market, and a considerable opportunity for solar installers.

With Payment Plans now available to offer strata companies, Smart Ease-accredited installers will be well-positioned to capitalise on this emerging demand.

How Smart Ease makes solar financing easy for strata companies

One of the reasons solar uptake has been slow for apartments is the tricky issue of funding: where exactly will the money come from?

Strata companies traditionally have a few options when it comes to paying for a solar installation:

Capital Works Fund (commonly known as a sinking fund)
Special Levy, where new funds are raised specifically for the solar install – usually proportionally to lot entitlement

Now, with Smart Ease funding, they have a new option: a zero upfront Payment Plan that allows the project to be funded through monthly repayments. These payments can be incorporated as small additional fees on top of monthly strata rates. This eliminates the barrier of upfront costs and makes the proposition far more attractive.

Benefits of Smart Ease Payment Plans for Strata Companies

Zero upfront cost
Preserve the sinking fund
Avoid the need for a Special Levy
Bundle in EV chargers and solar batteries
Combine with government incentives (e.g., NSW Solar for Apartments rebate)

Strata companies in NSW are also able to benefit from the NSW Solar for Apartments rebate which provides 50% of the cost of the solar install up to $150,000. They can apply for this rebate in addition to their Smart Ease Payment Plan, which will essentially allow them to get a solar system for half price, with zero capital outlay – not bad at all!

Getting a greenlight on solar for strata

The Strata Schemes Management Amendment (Sustainability Infrastructure) Bill 2020 makes it easier than ever for strata companies to move forward with energy-efficiency upgrades through a simplified sustainability resolution.

These resolutions can be passed at an AGM or EGM when a quorum is reached. For sustainability projects:

A quorum is achieved with 25% of owners attending

If 25% isn’t reached after 30 minutes, a quorum can be formed with those present

The motion passes as long as “No” votes make up less than half of the total votes from the quorum

Example scenario:

A strata building of 40 apartments have called an EGM to decide on a solar installation project. Only 14 owners attend.

After 30 minutes, the committee nominates they have a quorum.

A vote is executed and there are:

5-Yes, 3-Abstain, 6-No

Total yes & abstaining votes = 8

As this forms the majority, the vote is approved. The OC can then apply for a Smart Ease Payment Plan.

Effective solar sharing

Installing individual solar systems for each unit in an apartment building is as clunky and wasteful as it sounds. Thankfully, there is technology available specifically for effective solar sharing between apartment residents.

Allume’s world-first SolShare technology enables fair and effective solar energy distribution from a central system across multiple units in an apartment building. It allocates solar fairly to residents over the course of a month, improving both equity and efficiency.

The SolShare approach optimises self-consumption – solar power consumed is 20-40% higher with SolShare than with individual systems – resulting in maximum savings. SolShare also sends solar to residents when they are actively using it, supplying an even allocation to each unit per month.

Next steps

Have a strata lead? Get in touch!

Our Sales Directors can guide you through the process of applying for a Smart Ease Payment Plan for a strata customer and put you in touch with the Allume team to discuss technical aspects of the project.

Interested in Smart Ease Payment Plans for strata companies?

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

Sarah Thomas — 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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QLD and NSW lead the charge in Australia’s solar industry resurgence

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 01:21:28 +0000

The Australian solar industry looks to have left the doldrums of 2022 firmly behind as Queensland and New South Wales spearhead an impressive upsurge in installations. Recent data shows that the sector has not only rebounded from last year’s dip but is tracking ahead of the heights reached during the pandemic years — an encouraging sign for the future.

According to Guy Olian, industry expert and CEO of Smart Ease, there has been a remarkable surge in both Commercial & Industrial (C&I) and utility-scale solar installations. Guy attributes this growth to the combination of soaring electricity prices, declining solar panel costs, and a heightened focus on sustainable business practices.

“With the availability of zero upfront funding options, the case for commercial solar has never been stronger, driving widespread adoption across various sectors”, he notes.

Key insights from the recent data include:

1. The commercial solar market is seeing a surge, particularly in the 15-30kW segment, with a growing preference for smaller commercial systems in the 10-15kW range.

2. Queensland and New South Wales are leading the charge, with the 15-20kW and 95-<100kW segments dominating the market, collectively accounting for 55% of recent installations.

3. Both states are also leading in utility-scale solar installations, contributing 42% and 43% of the total solar volume, respectively.

4. Utility-scale solar is experiencing significant growth, with Queensland and New South Wales recording a 13% and 11% increase, respectively, in the last quarter (July to October 2023).

5. Queensland remains a powerhouse in sub-100kW commercial installations, boasting six of the top ten postcodes in this category.

6. Casula, a suburb in Sydney’s southwest, has emerged as the national leader for larger solar systems (101kW to 5000kW).

“On average, monthly STC-commercial volumes over 2023 are above those seen in previous years. Recent months indicate substantially higher volumes of STC-commercial systems compared to the same time in previous years. Notably, average system sizes within the STC market have also continued to grow.”

Warwick Johnston, Managing Director, Sunwiz

What does this mean for solar businesses?

Overall, the data is encouraging for all solar businesses. Australia’s love affair with solar continues in spite of a quiet 2022, and the industry has demonstrated strong resilience in overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Solar businesses with the ability to target the segments with the strongest growth will benefit the most from this resurgence, with those who ‘get’ the challenges and motivations of commercial customers ahead of the game. This includes understanding the cash-flow benefit of paying for solar and storage over time using a payment solution, instead of up front.

With Queensland and New South Wales leading the way, the future of sustainable, solar-powered energy in Australia looks brighter than ever.

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Power up your business with PV + EV

Demanzo Team — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 10:22:07 +0000

Charging equipment for EVs is no longer an afterthought for businesses.

In fact, industry experts suggest that EV needs are beginning to drive solar uptake and predict that EV-charging requirements could be responsible for around 30,000 new or upsized solar systems in 2023 alone.

For businesses looking for a reliable contractor to install EV charging equipment, solar businesses are the natural choice. They offer renewable-energy expertise, deep technical knowledge, and the ability to include EV chargers as part of an integrated solar and storage system installation.

JUMP AHEAD TO

EV market snapshot
Top 5 reasons businesses are installing EV chargers
Why Smart Ease is your perfect partner for EV projects

EV market snapshot

In June 2023 the share of EVs in the new car market hit a record 8.8 per cent.
More than 30 new EV models from a broad range of popular brands are scheduled to hit Australian dealerships within the next year.
The Tesla Model Y leapfrogged the Ford Ranger ute to become the second best-selling car of any type in Australia in June 2023.

“When you assist small businesses to swap out polluting energy sources and machines for renewable-powered electric versions, you permanently lower the cost base of a business. It embeds thousands of dollars’ worth of annual savings into the annual operations of small businesses, savings that accrue over the long term.”

– Saul Griffiths, Founder, Rewiring Australia

Top 5 reasons businesses are installing EV chargers

Attracting visitors – EV drivers choose where they go based on the availability of charging stations.
Customer service – delivering a ‘perk’ to customers can create a competitive edge.
ESG requirements – supporting a brand’s sustainability values and public perception.
Talent attraction and retention – staff who drive EVs won’t, in the future, want to work where they can’t plug in!
Favourable federal and state government incentives, e.g., EVs priced below the luxury car tax threshold^ are eligible for FBT exemptions when leased through a business.

Why Smart Ease is your perfect partner for EV projects

Our fast, fuss-free payment solutions are designed to help forward-thinking businesses acquire the equipment they need today, even if cash flow is a challenge. Smart Ease offers:

Fast, fuss-free payment solutions
100% online, low-doc application process
Competitive interest rates
Pre-approval for $3,000 – $150,000 in 4 minutes!

SunWiz data I EnergyNext presentation I 18 July 2023
Vfacts, Electric Vehicle Council, National Transport Commission and media estimates.
EV sales June 2023: Tesla Model Y outsells Ford Ranger | Electric vehicle news (mynrma.com.au)
Toyota HiLux tops charts, Tesla Model Y beats Ford Ranger, as electric cars surge – Drive
Reasons why every business owners should take EV charging station installation into consideration – Blue NRG Business Electricity – Applies to EVs purchased after July 2022

* Subject to credit criteria and approval.
^Applies to EVs purchased after July 2022

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Harvesting the sun: Covino Farms’ journey to sustainability

Demanzo Team — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 09:18:42 +0000

Nestled in the heart of East Gippsland, Covino Farms is a leading national grower, cultivating lettuce, carrots and a variety of vegetables across an impressive 3,500 acres of farmland. Like any forward-thinking enterprise, the business sought a visionary approach to curtail rising electricity bills while maximising their investment returns.

After researching potential partners, Smart Ease Channel Partner Cherry Energy emerged as the clear choice. Boasting impeccable credentials and backed by EnergyAustralia, Cherry Energy offered a cutting-edge solution tailor-made for Covino Farms.

The challenge

Beyond the challenges of reducing energy expenditure and deliver a compelling return on investment, the Covino Farms project threw some unique curveballs.

Project snapshot

Equipment

1,742 x 450W Risen panels

8 x 82.8kW SolarEdge inverters

871 x P950 SolarEdge optimizers

Commercial-grade Sunlock racking

SolarEdge energy meter

450kVA PFC unit

Savings

~ $189,439

The site proved challenging to secure adequate insurance coverage for due to its high fire risk. Then, there were existing skylights which restricted the availability of suitable roof space and necessitated a rethink of the recommended system size.

The solution

With the assistance of Cherry, Covino Farms accessed various State Government incentives, significantly reducing the upfront cost of the project. Cherry then connected Covino Farms with Smart Ease to finance the remaining project cost with a Payment Plan. The speed of application and approval was a big part of the appeal, with Smart Ease providing a smoother, easier path than major banks.

In addition, Cherry worked closely with Covino Farms to minimise fire risks and secure the required fire insurance coverage. They replaced skylights with regular roof sheeting, creating more room to expand the system’s size and capacity and installed a Power Factor unit to further optimize savings.

The win

Today, Covino Farms is powered by the clean, green energy generated by their state-of-the-art 783.9kW solar PV system.

Funding their new system with a Smart Ease Payment Plan enabled Covino and Cherry to move ahead more quickly on the project by turning what would have been a substantial upfront cost into a series of manageable monthly instalments.

The projected savings for Covino Farms are impressive, totalling approximately $189,439 while significantly reducing their carbon emissions. This project is a great example of how agricultural businesses can improve profitability while playing their part in mitigating climate change.

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

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