Solar panels Archives | Smart Ease

Sunlight powers emergency light production at Clevertronics

Demanzo Team — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:16:25 +0000

Look around your office and it’s almost certain you’ll spot an illuminated exit sign somewhere. On an average day, no-one notices emergency lighting. But when there’s a blackout or a fire, these smart, disc-shaped light fittings recessed in ceilings and stairwells can save lives.

Clevertronics is a market leader in Australia and New Zealand for emergency lighting and is recognised as a sustainability leader in its field. The type of lights Clevertronics produces are a mandatory feature of buildings like offices and hospitals, with regular testing and reporting dictated by law.

Along with innovation, energy efficiency is hardwired into Clevertronics’ DNA. The company’s leaders walk the talk when it comes to environmental responsibility, and its products lead the market in sustainability and energy efficiency.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Clevertronics solar installation has long been on the cards, but its previous premises presented a hitch.

Project snapshot

200 kW solar array

444 x 450W panels

Surface area: 660m²

Supports: manufacturing and EV charging

Solar provides 55% of energy needs

Annual CO₂ reduction: 200 tonnes

Annual energy production: 254MWh (forecasted)

Excess energy exported ≡ 12 x homes usage

“Our previous location was fragmented with a number of small buildings on the premises − not really conducive to solar.

When we moved to our new building (as anchor tenant on a modern industrial estate) in late 2019, everything aligned. With a long-term lease, a nice big roof space with no shade, and owners who were totally happy for us to add value to their investment in the form of commercial solar array, the time was right.”

Andrew Murray, Product Support Manager, Clevertronics

The solution

Clevertronics engaged Smart Ease Channel Partner Smart Commercial Solar to install a 200kW rooftop solar array. Divided into two areas to support manufacturing and EV charging, a total of 444 x 450W panels were installed. The panels cover a surface area of 660m² – larger than your average football field.

A Smart Ease payment solution was included as part of Smart Commercial Solar’s initial proposal and Clevertronics jumped at the option. Low interest rates meant cash was “cheap” at the time, so funding their solar array via a Smart Ease Payment Plan made more sense than allocating their own funds to the project.

We have a longstanding partnership with Smart Ease, and we integrate their payment options in all our proposals using their API.

Clevertronics decided quite late in December that a finance solution was the preferred method of procurement. Any other lender would have deferred until January, but the Smart Ease team was responsive and got the documentation through before the end of year, in line with the customer’s budgetary deadlines.

Anastasi Kotoros, Head of Marketing, Smart Commercial Solar

The win

Clevertronics’ solar installation now provides 150kW of energy to power their manufacturing production area with an additional 50kW earmarked for future EV charging stations. Clevertronics has found that 150kW is the ideal amount to meet their weekday manufacturing demand – on the weekends, power is fed back into the grid. At this point, the business uses 55% solar and draws 45% of its energy from the grid to cover overnight production.

The solar array accounts for an estimated annual CO₂ reduction of 200 tonnes. With a forecasted energy production of 254MWh per year, Clevertronics’ reliance on external power has dropped by over 50% − and exports enough energy to the grid to power twelve average homes. For eight months of the year, Clevertronics generates more power than it consumes, which means it’s now classified as a power generator.

“Our solar installation has more than met our expectations, and we look forward to the next stage of installing EV charging stations,” said Andrew Murray, Clevertronics’ Product Support Manager.

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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Gordon Farm’s state-of-the-art, energy-efficient cow hotel

Sarah Thomas — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 05:38:03 +0000

At the start of the millennium, roughly 900 dairy farms operated in the northern district area of Campaspe Shire in Victoria’s north. Unfortunately that number has now dwindled to just 40, as tough economic pressures and water scarcity have forced many multi-generational dairy farmers to close.

The Gordon family is one of the few that has managed to weather the storms.

Ross Gordon, along with his sons Drew and Glen, have been running their family’s dairy farm in Cohuna since 1995. Despite challenging times, they have not only kept the farm afloat but also expanded it – growing their herd from 200 to 750 cows and diversifying into crop farming.

Knowing that long-term success requires foresight and innovation, the Gordons recently decided to invest in modern farming methods to ensure the farm’s future.

The problem

The first step in their plan was to build a state-of-the-art mega dairy shed that would improve milk production and water efficiency.

The Gordons were also determined to incorporate energy-efficiency solutions to address one of the farm’s biggest challenges: soaring electricity costs.

“Electricity is one of our biggest costs. All the water we get is through irrigation, so we have to keep those pumps going 24/7. Then milk needs to be stored at 4°C, so we’re spending a lot on refrigeration.

“We’ve also now got banks, supermarkets and customers all wanting to know what our carbon footprint is. Bringing this down and doing our bit to get to Net Zero became more important.”

– Ross Gordon, Gordon Farms

Project snapshot

Industry: Dairy farming

Channel Partner: Solar Australia & Eagle Direct

Equipment:

34x 55″ ECVCS FAN ASSEMBLY, 1.5HP, 230/400V, IE3, DEFLECTOR KIT
31x 72″ ECVCS FAN ASSEMBLY, 3HP, 230/400V, IE3, DEFLECTOR KIT,
TURBO CONE
46 x VFD, i550 Protec, NEMA 4X, 1.5 HP, 400-480V ,
31 x VFD, i550 Protec, NEMA 4X, 3 HP, 400-480V
12 x 55″ Fans and 88 x High Bay LED
200 Trina Solar Panels
1x SMA Inverter

Payment Plan term: 120 months

The solution

The Gordons partnered with solar experts Solar Australia and farm-design specialists Eagle Direct to plan a system that would integrate various energy-efficiency technologies for a cost-effective solution.

After months of technical assessments, the teams proposed a comprehensive approach: a 102kW solar array, a HVAC system with over 75 industrial fans, and LED lighting throughout the shed. Together, these technologies would reduce energy costs and create a more comfortable environment for the cows – a key factor in improving milk production.

“Our specialty is in building what I call ‘cow hotels,’ where the cows have a full buffet, a comfortable bed, a cooling system and a flushing toilet. And we do all that because cows respond well to it. They love it!

“It’s all about maximum cow comfort – the more comfortable the cow is, the more milk they produce.”

– Mike Ryan, Eagle Direct

A cow’s thermal neutral zone is between 4°C and 18°C. Above this range, cows experience heat stress, which leads to reduced milk production that can take months to recover. Installing industrial fans throughout the shed was a crucial part of the design in order to maintain this ideal temperature. Meanwhile, powering the fans with solar energy would make the cost of running them feasible.

With the technical aspects sorted, the only hurdle left was to finance the project.

Solar Australia’s Tim Dixon reached out to Smart Ease to arrange a flexible payment plan that could cover the multiple equipment types being installed by two different providers.

“We try our best to not just be installers but to be energy partners. Rather than throwing a couple of panels on the roof and calling it a day, we get to know the customer’s needs and work with them to come up with the best solution.

In this case, we knew the upfront cost of the project would make it impossible. So I got in touch with Smart Ease to organise a Payment Plan. It’s not easy to finance a project like this with multiple players involved, but the Smart Ease team got it done.”

– Tim Dixon, Solar Australia

The win

Since moving the cows into the new climate-controlled shed, milk production on Gordon Farms has increased by 30%. Additionally, the expansion has allowed the Gordons to dedicate more land to crop farming, incorporating both summer and winter crops into the mix and further diversifying his business.

The solar system now generates 173MW annually, covering roughly 50% of the farm’s electricity consumption and saving an estimated $33,000 on electricity bills each year.

“It’s made a huge difference. We’ve gone from producing 18,000 litres to 28,000 litres of milk and have been able to add an extra 50 cows – it really helps to pay the bills!

It’s nice knowing that what we’ve planned is actually working, and the solar and fans are a big part of that. Plus, having the loans locked in for fixed terms has been great and takes away a lot of the worry about future costs.”

– Ross Gordon

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

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Rino Recycling’s mission to decarbonise

Demanzo Team — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 09:13:00 +0000

In 2023, Brisbane-based Rino Recycling built a state-of-the-art commercial waste recycling facility, making them the world’s largest under-one-roof company of its kind.

In designing the new facility, the Rino Recycling leadership team was very focused on including clean energy sources in their energy mix. Breaking down construction materials like skip bins and concrete slabs is an extremely energy-intensive process and, as part of the carbon-capture industry, the Rino team wanted to find ways to efficiently decarbonise this process.

Rino’s Chief Financial Officer, Richard Jacobitz, reached out to Jack Hooper of GEM Energy, to explore the possibility of installing a solar system at their new facility.

Project snapshot

Industry: Waste Management/Recycling

Channel Partner: GEM Energy

Equipment:
548kW system comprising 961 Jinko panels and 4 Sungrow inverters

Payment Plan term: 120 months

“Carbon capture and recycling is very near and dear to our heart, so where we get power from and how we capture renewables is very critical. One of the things that was very high up on our list was using solar power.”

– Richard Jacobitz, Rino Recycling

The solution

After completing a techno-commercial feasibility study of the site, Jack recommended a 548kW solar system featuring 961 Jinko solar panels and 4 Sungrow inverters. With such a large installation, Jack also proposed the option of using a Smart Ease Payment Plan to minimise the cost hurdle of the project.

“The Smart Ease Payment Plan is quite pivotal to the sales process of these large commercial projects, because quite often corporates or large businesses have got capital that they’re looking to invest in other primary drivers within the business…
“Smart Ease can offer a flexible Payment Plan that allows no upfront capital cost and then affordable monthly repayments that are largely aligned with the savings that they make on their power bills.”

– Jack Hooper, GEM Energy

Using a Smart Ease Payment Plan meant that Rino Recycling did not have to dedicate any upfront capital to the cost of the solar installation and could instead pay for the system over time with manageable monthly repayments. The repayments were estimated to be lower than Rino Recycling’s total monthly energy savings from generating solar power, which made the entire project a cash-flow positive one from the outset.

The win

Installing Rino Recycling’s 548kW solar system was no easy feat – the facility was still under construction and required a great deal of coordination and safety planning. Happily, it was completed in September 2023, safely, on time and on budget.

Rino Recycling is estimated to be saving a huge $150,000 per year in energy bills, making it a considerable win to the company’s bottom-line.

On top of that, the solar installation reduces their carbon emissions by 15 percent, further supporting Rino Recycling’s carbon-capture mission.

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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Empowering Euro Foods: How Solar Energy Revolutionized Cost Efficiency for an £120 Million Business

Demanzo Team — Fri, 31 May 2024 08:33:51 +0000

A true rag-to-riches story, Shelim Hussain MBE founded Euro Foods Group back in 1991 with a £20 investment. Now worth an estimated £120million, the business is now one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and distributors of frozen and fresh foods. In the last 30+ years, Shelim has expanded the Euro Foods business offering, opened new subsidiary companies, and built six depots across the UK.

The latest feather in his cap of savvy business decisions is the installation of cost-saving decarbonisation equipment across Euro Foods depots and offices. Shelim opted to install solar panels because of escalating electricity prices, which he says have tripled in recent years. This surge in costs pushed his operational expenses to a level that was no longer sustainable, prompting his decision.

After initially planning to self-manage the funding and installation of the solar project, Shelim decided to call in the experts. Channel Partner Solarsense came to the conversation to provide the most cost-effective and energy-efficient solution.

Project snapshot

Industry: Food Manufacturing & Distribution

Channel Partner: Solarsense

Equipment:
1.04MW system comprising 2,343 DMEGC panels and 8 Solis inverters

Payment Plan term: 84 months

CO2 emissions saved per year: 230 tonnes

The solution

Upon assessing Euro Foods’ main site in Cwmbran, Solarsense recommended the installation of a 1.04MW system comprising over 2300 solar panels and 8 solar inverters. Due to the sheer scale of the project, Solarsense suggested funding the installation with a Smart Ease Payment Plan.

Using a Smart Ease Payment Plan, Euro Foods would be able to install the solar system with £0 upfront and pay down the cost of the installation through manageable monthly payments over 84 months.

Without having to sink any of their own funds in the Cwmbran project, Euro Foods could then roll out decarbonisation technology across all its sites and begin enjoying the cost-saving benefits of solar without the crippling financial investment.

The win

The solar installation at Cwmbran began in January 2024. Already, the system is estimated to be reducing Euro Foods’ energy usage by 40%, resulting in drastically reduced electricity bills. In fact, Euro Foods monthly energy bill savings have been more than the cost of its monthly Smart Ease repayments, making the whole installation a cash-flow positive one.

The Euro Food solar project is a great example of how installing decarbonisation equipment at your business premises is so much more than just a sustainability initiative – although reduced carbon emissions are always a welcome outcome.

For Shelim, installing solar was a solution to managing Euro Foods’ rapidly rising energy expenditure. Euro Foods is now able to replicate this cost-saving success across its six sites, all while getting closer to Net Zero.

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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Beer brewed by the sun: Philter Brewing’s switch to solar

Demanzo Team — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 12:06:36 +0000

Philter Brewing arrived on the craft beer scene in 2017 with a bang, winning the coveted Champion Pale Ale award within their first four months and with their very first beer. It wasn’t long before they became one of the most awarded craft breweries in Australia.

Soon came the need to expand. Within a few short years there was a Marrickville brewing facility capable of producing 1.5 million litres annually, a range of beers from stouts to ginger beers, and their very own onsite bar venue.

To help reduce the rising operational costs that came with Philter’s supercharged growth, Managing Director Mick Neil turned to solar.

“Brewing is a practice that takes up a lot of energy,” said Mick.

Project snapshot

Industry: Craft beer production & hospitality
Channel Partner: Cyanergy

Equipment:
System 1 (65.9kW) – 120x JA Solar panels & 1x Sungrow Inverter
System 2 (19.6kW) – 36x JA Solar panels 1x Sungrow Inverter
Payment Plan term: 5 years

“Due to the recent power price hikes, we decided to install solar as a cost-effective solution to electricity and managing power in the business. It’s also obviously far more sustainable, so it ticked two boxes for us – keeping costs down and addressing our sustainability agenda.”

The solution

To tackle the solar installation, Mick engaged Matt Cooper from Cyanergy to propose a solar solution that would work for Philter’s high-electricity needs.

Upon assessing the Marrickville site, Matt recommended an 84kW system split over two separate meters: a 64kW system and a 20kW system. With a two-system setup, the Cyanergy team ensured that they could take full advantage of Philter’s large, west-facing roof.

When it came to paying for the system, Mick opted to use a Smart Ease Payment Plan to avoid paying the upfront lump sum.

“We chose to go with a Payment Plan primarily for cash-flow purposes, – we saw it as a great opportunity to pay down the system over time. And then we could use the capital we had to install other equipment that directly contributed to beer production and running the venue.”

Mick Neil, Philter Brewing

The win

The benefits of installing solar were immediate.

“Being an inner city, metro Sydney-based business, Philter has exorbitant electricity rates. By putting this solar system on their roof, Philter has covered around 60% of their daytime usage and allowed them to increase their capacity for beer production.”

Matt Cooper, Cyanergy

And the dollar amount in electricity savings? Matt estimates that to be around $56,000 per year!

“By putting it on a Payment Plan,” added Guy Olian, Smart Ease CEO, “Philter Brewing, like all of our clients, is able to transition and decarbonise their operations without spending anything upfront and to actually be cash-flow positive from Day 1.”

Essentially, installing solar cost Philter Brewing nothing and their monthly repayments for the system were covered by their electricity savings. Wins across the board!

Increased capacity for beer production
Reduced carbon footprint
Reduced electricity costs
Cash-flow positive
Freed up capital to invest in revenue-generating activities

“The Philter Brewing project really demonstrates the strong business case for putting solar on roofs, and shows just how easy and accessible it is to do so.
“You can come see it in metropolitan Sydney and literally drink beer that’s been partially brewed by the sun.”

Guy Olian, Smart Ease.

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

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Future-proofing MC Group’s next 50 years

Demanzo Team — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 06:25:51 +0000

Having been in business for almost half a century, it’s safe to say that MC Group has some experience adapting to changing business environments.

As one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial vehicles, the team at MC Group had long been considering installing solar panels. Firstly, to serve their high energy needs, which were set to jump as they began to import commercial EV trucks and buses. And secondly, to simply “do the right thing,” as Group Financial Director Peter Booth puts it.

When energy prices skyrocketed in 2022, it was the final push they needed to pull the trigger on solar.

The solution Solarsense proposed was a 189kW system at Hythe paired with a grid-limitation device. For Southampton, Solarsense proposed over-cladding the original asbestos roof followed by the installation of a 280kW solar system.

Project snapshot

Industry: Commercial vehicles

Channel Partner: Solarsense

Equipment:

Southampton project – 701x Q-Cell Modules & 3x Solis Inverters

Hythe project – 471x Q-Cell Modules 2x Solis Inverters

Payment Plan term: 5 years

Funding the project

While MC Group had the capital available to pay for the project upfront, they preferred the option of commercial financing through a Smart Ease Payment Plan. “Because it was a long-term investment, it made more sense to match the savings with the cost of it,” explained Peter, “and free up that cash for other things.

“From a cost-benefit perspective, the payback is somewhere around 5 years while the [panels] have got something like a 20-year life. It’s a bit of a no-brainer really.”

Smart Ease was recommended to MC Group by Tim, who had been looking for a new finance provider to help Solarsense customers tackle funding concerns. After meeting Gaige and comparing rates, Tim was quickly convinced to give Smart Ease a try.

“Gaige was very enthusiastic and charismatic and felt that nothing was too much trouble. Historically, I’ve always felt that I’m giving a lead to a finance company and it’s kind of almost just expected. [But with Smart Ease] it feels like there’s a lot more involvement and engagement to support us in what we’re trying to do.”

– Tim Cook, Solarsense

The Win

According to Peter, the benefits of installing solar were immediate and manifold. He estimates that across both sites, almost 40% of their energy is being generated through solar and that they use roughly 75% of what they are generating. The drop in their energy bills has been drastic, to say the least.

With EV trucks and buses now a growing part of MC Groups’ business, their energy demands have only gone up in the past year. But now with the ability to generate a large portion of their own energy onsite, it’s no longer a major concern.

“We know the cost of 40% of our electricity for the next 20 years. It takes quite a weight off your mind.”

– Peter Booth, Group Financial Director, MC Trucks.

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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Green loans: what are they and how do they compare?

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 00:07:15 +0000

In recent years, green loans have rapidly risen from obscurity to become top-of-mind.

The benefits of decarbonisation – such as cheaper energy through renewables, positive brand implications, and keeping shareholders happy – have convinced most organisations of the need to act soon. Green loans and similar payment solutions (including our own) play a key role in this for small- to medium-sized organisations.

For organisations keen to reduce their footprint by adopting solar power and other technologies – without digging in to their savings – investigating green loans and related options is a wise move.

So, what are green loans, what alternatives exist, and what’s best for your organisation?

What are green loans?

Green loans were first introduced as a government initiative to encourage individuals (vs businesses) to install energy-saving home improvements.

Today, they’re also used in commercial settings as businesses seek to rapidly decarbonise their operations in an era of ESG and skyrocketing power prices.

In simple terms, a green loan is ‘a form of financing that enables borrowers to finance projects that have an environmental impact’.[1] The concept has existed under different names (including ‘green bonds’ and ‘green financing’) for around 15 years, but since 2018 they’ve been classified according to a specific set of principles. These are:

The use of funds. The use of the loan should be clearly described in the financial documents and offer clear, verifiable environmental benefits.
The process of evaluation and selection of projects. The borrower should clearly inform the lender of the sustainability objectives and how they determined that the project is eligible.
The management of funds. The amount of the green loan should be recorded in a specific account and be able to be tracked to ensure transparency and integrity.
Annual review. The borrower should show how the funds are being used on an annual basis to demonstrate they’re meeting objectives.[2]

How do green loans work for businesses?

When cash flow is inconsistent or capital is earmarked for other projects, green loans and similar products are one way for organisations to access technology like solar panels, EV chargers, batteries and energy-efficient lighting. These technologies allow organisations to reduce the amount of energy they source from the grid, often drastically, which can also reduce their monthly expenditure.

Interest rates for green loans vary depending on the provider, with some lenders advertising lower rates with proof of environmental impact. To qualify, businesses must meet a strict set of criteria and commit to ongoing reporting, as per the Green Loan Principles (see above).

“There is no company whose business model won’t be profoundly affected by the transition to a net zero economy.”

Larry Fink, CEO Blackrock

Due to the need to vet each application for its environmental value, green loans through banks can only be applied for in person or via the phone. Many major lenders only offer green loans to existing customers and only to individuals, not organisations. Due to these types of requirements, the maximum loan amount is often too low to be viable for businesses to use (for example, $20,000).

How do Smart Ease Payment Plans compare to green loans?

It’s important to note that while Smart Ease payment solutions are based on green-loan principles, they are not classified as green loans. Differences between green loans and Smart Ease payment solutions are mainly related to the strictness of criteria and the reporting requirements.

At Smart Ease, we solve the same problems as green loans do, but in a more flexible and business-friendly way. The most obvious and important difference between Smart Ease payment solutions and a green loan from a bank is in the paperwork – and the speed.

Our payment solutions are unique. They’re fast (it takes less than 5 minutes to apply), they’re 100% online and they can be used to fund a broad range of energy-efficiency technologies.

Most importantly, our payment solutions can only be accessed via our Accredited Channel Partners, which is how we know that we’re funding projects with a positive environmental impact. This means you’re able to apply online quickly, with less paperwork and hassle than you’re likely to encounter with traditional lenders.

Once your equipment is installed and your project is complete, there is no reporting required to demonstrate the environmental impact of your loan.

*Subject to credit criteria and approval

Green loans and their equivalents are here to stay. As decarbonisation continues across all sectors, expect this option to be more commonly used by organisations of all sizes to achieve their green goals.

Smart Ease customers love the win-win of reducing their energy expenditure and their carbon footprint at the same time – and they love the accessibility of our payment solutions for all organisations, regardless of their bank or their reporting capacity.

We know you will too.

Enquire about a Smart Ease Payment Plan today

[1] Climate Explainer: Green Loans (worldbank.org), sourced 16 Jan 2023

[2] As above, sourced 16 Jan 2023

[3] Green Financing: A Look at the History – Bechtel, sourced 16 Jan 2023

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10 decarbonisation good news stories from 2022

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 04:29:31 +0000

There’s no doubt 2022 brought with it a unique set of challenges and shocks. With geopolitical instability, government changes, lingering pandemic effects and rises in inflation, interest and the cost of living, there was enough bad news to deflate even the most determined optimist.

Believe it or not, there were a lot of good news stories too. Head into the holiday season with a smile on your face thanks to this round-up of our 10 favourite good news stories from the world of decarbonisation.

1. New builds in EU countries will now have to have solar panels

The ongoing war in Ukraine has seen European countries turning away from Russian gas in droves. This has rapidly escalated the switch to renewable energy, with plans for half of the EU’s energy to come from renewables by 2030.

A new ‘solar rooftop initiative’ has made it mandatory for all new buildings to have solar panels by 2029, which is expected to double the amount of solar energy being produced.

2. Queensland windfarm to provide enough power for 1.4m homes with new $2bn investment

Closer to home, one of Australia’s biggest windfarms announced in November that it will double its capacity to 2,000MW. The extension will enable the farm to supply enough power for 1.4m homes, hastening Queensland’s exit from fossil fuel−sourced electricity.

The windfarm is owned by Spain’s Acciona Energia and is found within the MacIntyre Precinct, a region about 200km south-west of Brisbane which is being developed in partnership with CleanCo, the Queensland government’s renewable energy arm.

3. Coles stores in Queensland will use 100% renewable energy from 2025

Coles supermarkets in Queensland signed a major 10-year renewable energy deal in September 2022. The retail giant committed to using renewable energy to power more than 90% of its sites across the state from July 2022.

By 2025, the nation’s 12th-largest electricity user plans to use 100% renewable energy in its operations. To achieve this, it has signed an agreement with the 228MW Lal Lal Wind Farm in Victoria.

4. Renewable jobs rise by 700,000 to nearly 13 million worldwide

In May the UN announced that worldwide employment in the renewable energy sector reached 12.7 million last year, a jump of 700,000 new jobs in just 12 months. This is despite ongoing COVID-19 interruptions and the growing energy crisis.

Solar was the fastest-growing sector, supplying 4.3 million jobs in 2021 − which was more than one third of the current global workforce in renewable energy. Data also showed that female participation increased in the sector.

5. Costs of renewable energy have dropped much faster than expected

In stark contrast to the continued increase in the cost of fossil fuel−sourced energy, the costs of renewable energy continued to decline dramatically over the past year.

According to the Human Development Report Office (HDRO), prices of large-scale solar photovoltaics decreased by 89% in the decade to 2019, while lithium-ion batteries became 97% cheaper throughout the same period.

These price decreases took experts by surprise. As the HDRO notes, “contrary to the projected average annual cost reduction… solar photovoltaics costs declined by 15% a year.”

6. A new world record for global investment in clean energy

A report from Bloomberg NEF showed that countries across the planet are pouring record-breaking amounts of money into renewable energy. Over $226 billion was spent on clean energy development in Q1 alone − an 11% increase year on year.

Once again, solar led the way with a 33% jump in investment, while wind investments increased by 18% globally. China, the United States, and Japan were among the biggest backers of these new projects as they transition from fossil fuel−sources towards clean, renewable energy.

7. Australian government invests in ramping up EV uptake

The Australian government passed a bill in November to make popular electric and low-emissions vehicles more affordable through tax exemptions. Its new Electric Car Discount policy will see discounts across all EVs up to the Luxury Car Tax value of $77,565.

The policy aims to save motorists and businesses thousands by exempting eligible low-emissions vehicles from import charges and fringe benefits tax. Lower-cost models, such as the Nissan Leaf, will be cheaper by around $2,000 for individuals and $9,000 for fleet managers.

8. Solar microgrids are keeping Ukraine’s hospitals running

Solar microgrids* have proven a game-changer in conflict and disaster-relief situations globally. Unlike diesel generators, which are traditionally used to provide emergency backup power, solar microgrids can produce and store energy independently from the main grid. They also don’t rely on access to fossil fuels, which are often in short supply.

More than two dozen 2kWh portable solar battery systems have been shipped to 13 hospitals in cities all over Ukraine, where they are helping save lives in areas under heavy bombardment.

9. Construction begins on the world’s biggest wind farm

Construction has begun on Dogger Bank Wind Farm, the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Located off the east coast of England in the North Sea, the 1,700km² project covers an area larger than Greater London and will create more than 300 jobs.

When fully operational in 2026, Dogger Bank Wind Farm will produce enough renewable electricity to supply 5% of UK’s demand. It will power around five million homes each year and increase the UK’s renewables capacity from 0.6GW to up to16GW by 2030.

10. Decarbonisation tech instantly converts CO₂ to solid carbon

Researchers at Melbourne’s RMIT announced that they’ve developed technology that instantly captures CO₂ in the atmosphere and converts it to solid carbon.

The smart and super-efficient new technology is designed to be integrated smoothly into existing industrial processes, enabling heavy industries like cement and steel production to easily capture and store the carbon they emit.

*Energy systems that distribute energy independently from the main power grid.

Photo by Pagie Page on Unsplash

Ukraine image from KyivPost

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The spectacular new Bondi Pavilion solar array in review

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 04:58:54 +0000

There are few beachside buildings in Sydney to rival the Bondi Pavilion for history, elegance or iconic status. Built in 1928, the ‘Playground of the Pacific’ has been home to Turkish baths, epic balls and American Red Cross officers in WW2, not to mention generations of beach-loving
Sydneysiders.

This month, the Smart Ease team was treated to a rooftop tour of the newly reopened pavilion by our Channel Partner Smart Commercial Solar, who recently installed a large solar array on the glorious building which crowns Bondi’s northern end.

The project

In 2015, Waverly Council commissioned Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects and Buildcorp to upgrade the pavilion, a project which ultimately took close to seven years.

This year, the restored and revitalised Bondi Pavilion was unveiled to the public, complete with preserved heritage features, a gallery, theatre, community radio station and a state-of-the-art solar array to convert Bondi Beach’s bright rays into energy.

‘This is our beloved Bondi Pavilion, but not as you remember it,’ said Waverly Mayor, Paula Masselos. ‘Keeping true to its original architecture, the restoration has been designed and built to last for decades to come.’[1]

The $38m restoration includes a 217-solar-panel array, the impressive work of our friends at Smart Commercial Solar. The panels adorn the rooftops of the single-storey wings framing the main pavilion and supply 71% of the building’s energy needs.

The challenges

The site presented many challenges, stemming mainly from the need to preserve the heritage aesthetics of this classic Italianate building. The roof itself is a work of art, designed to complement the coastal surroundings while referencing the Spanish tiles of the era, with randomly interspersed ‘rioja’ (terracotta red) tiles along with those in shades of blue, green and white.

As a result, the panel orientation is unusual, with the arrays more spaced out than usual and spread across separate rooftops at opposite ends of the site. The panels on the northern wing of the building are raised by 5%, a compromise between the 10% raised panels preferred by Smart Commercial Solar (for maximum efficiency) and completely flat panels preferred by TZG (for minimum visual intrusion).

Our perfect solar array is one big square with a cable going straight down into an inverter station nearby. But of course, that’s not the case here.

When we were installing the system, one of the early issues was how do we get the cables from the panels to the switch room where all the electrical services are. In some cases, that distance is close to 100m. We achieved it by running the cables through conduits in the roof cavities, walls and under the ground.

Frank Placko, Senior Project Manager, Smart Commercial Solar

While there is a small amount of degradation (loss of energy) in getting the solar power from the furthest wing of the pavilion to the inverter, Smart Commercial Solar were able to minimise this by ensuring all current carried is DC.

The technology

• Solar panels: 210 x Trina Tallmax M 450W
• Inverter: 1 x Sungrow SG110CX – 110kVA
• Racking (framing for the panels): Clenergy
• Grid Protection Unit (GPU) : GS110-1-MS-65-WM by Greenwood.

Why solar?

Bondi Pavilion aims to be a national and global leader in sustainability through innovative environmental technology. When complete, it will be a certified Rated Australian Building of Excellence ready for net zero accreditation, paving the way for future generations.[1]

Although the panels on the northern wings are almost imperceptible, those on the southern wing are a visible reminder to all visitors of Waverly Council’s commitment to sustainability. And, with enough energy being generated to supply of the pavilion’s needs during daylight hours, the solar power significantly offsets the energy costs of the community resource.

As our team experienced during our tour of the Bondi Pavilion solar array, there is no shortage of hot Bondi sun to power the site in spring and summer! In fact, the day we visited was so warm, we took advantage of the stunning location to grab a swim and an ice cream after our hour-long tour with the Smart Commercial Team. It was the perfect way to end a busy week, and a pleasure to see this impressive solar array in action

[1] Bondi Pavilion Restoration & Conservation Project – Waverley Council (nsw.gov.au)

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3 essential Federal Budget take-outs for solar businesses

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 02:38:55 +0000

The Federal Budget was handed down last week and the energy industry featured prominently in the conversation.

What do solar businesses need to know about it? If you’re unsure about how Federal Budget 2022 relates to your business, here’s our take.

1. Leverage the cost-of-energy conversation

Not surprisingly to anyone in the industry, the Federal Budget warned that electricity prices were expected to rise by 56% over the next two years – and gas prices by 40%.

Use this information to open conversations and close deals with your commercial customers.

Help commercial customers understand how much their current electricity costs might increase by doing a quick calculation. What does 56% mean for them in dollars?
Do they have equipment that uses gas? Replacing equipment or plant with electricity-powered alternatives means they could power it with solar – and lower their costs.
Remind commercial customers that with a Payment Plan for energy-efficiency equipment, the savings on their energy bill are typically greater than their monthly instalments. This makes the purchase cash-flow positive – which is great for their bottom line.

For more on this, read ‘How to help your customers understand – and manage – rising electricity costs.’

2. Consider upselling with EV-charging

The Driving the Nation Fund – a cool $500 million to help reduce transport emissions – highlights the government’s commitment to reducing transport emissions.

In an effort to encourage EV ownership, the $345 million Electric Car Discount will exempt eligible electric cars from fringe benefits tax and the 5% import tariff.

Use this information to offer solar customers additional opportunities to future-proof their operations by installing EV chargers. As the EV market continues to expand, forward-thinking workplaces are getting wise to the benefit of providing employees and customers this service.

By offering workplace, or ‘destination’, EV charging, businesses can:

generate additional revenue,
attract and retain talent, and
cement their sustainable brand reputation.

3. Build your team with a $10K sweetener

Need to build your team?

This Budget announced it will address growing skills demands in the clean energy sector by making 10,000 New Energy Apprenticeships available over four years (2,500 commencements a year from 2022-23).

To help to increase apprentice uptake, boost retention and improve completions, apprentices who choose to train in new energy industries will receive up to $10,000 in staged payments.

For top sales tips, contact your Account Manager or call us on 1300 795 695.

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