Smart Commercial Energy

05/06/2026

Many members of the business sustainability community flocked to Melbourne this week for two events: Reshaping Existing Buildings, hosted by Facilities Managers Australia and AIREAH, and Sustainability Business Live.

Smarties Kealy Day - who spoke at Reshaping Existing Buildings - and Lauren Hamilton were on the ground, hanging out with Smart partners NetNada.

🌞 Highlights included the Energy Debate with Saul Griffiths and Chris Uhlmann, catching Matt Kean’s talk, and spending time with our wonderful customers Emma Bottomly and Julian Freeland.

⛈️ Lowlights include the Melbourne weather, as ever ;)

01/06/2026

If your business has a 30 June 2026 reporting deadline, you’re probably already worrying about how to get your sustainability systems, data and reporting processes in line right now.

FYI, ASIC’s latest review identified issues around:

👎🏼 unclear disclosures

👎🏼 missing climate risks

👎🏼 poor documentation

In this blog, our General Manager Kathryn Hoogesteger explains how businesses can get into the best position for audits - and how our carbon accounting tool, Smart Zero, can help.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3PTqAxO

ASIC has just released its early observations from the first wave of reports lodged under Chapter 2M of the Corporations Act read more here

28/05/2026

The Goulburn Community Solar Farm shows what happens when a community comes together, led by determined clean energy advocates and backed by people willing to play the long game.

More than a decade in the making, the 1.4MW ground mount solar and 4MW BESS system is now generating clean energy for around 500 homes. It’s a strong example of what persistence, local investment, and the right partners can achieve.

We’re proud to have delivered this project alongside Komo Energy and the Clean Energy 4 Goulburn community, navigating a constrained site and a very different delivery model to a typical commercial build.

The system features Trina Solar modules, supporting long-term performance for a project designed to stand the test of time.

The result is something the community owns, benefits from and can be proud of!



https://bit.ly/4w4LMkF

24/05/2026

Have you heard? The federal government is handing out between $25,000 and $100,000 to community sports clubs across Australia to help them cut their energy bills.

If you’re planning to apply for the new Federal Government Game On grant, you’ll need a quote ready before applications open on 11 June 2026.

Funding is competitive, and clubs that prepare early will be in the best position to submit straight away.

Get your FREE solar & battery quote now so your application is ready when funding opens.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/4usJQkR

Discover how your sports club could get up to $100,000 for solar, batteries and EV chargers under a new Federal Government grant.

20/05/2026

When roof load limits solar: a guide to lightweight PV systems

Many commercial rooftops — older warehouses, logistics centers, industrial halls, even green roofs — weren’t built to carry the weight of traditional solar panels. Standard racking and ballast can push the load over 25 kg/m², creating major structural challenges.

The good news? Lightweight solar solutions are changing the game. They make rooftop solar possible without compromising energy performance, even on buildings with strict load limits.

In our latest blog, we break down the three main lightweight solar approaches and what makes them unique:

- Glue-On Panels: Adhesive-mounted for ultra-low structural impact and fast installation.
- Low-Profile Mounting Systems: Minimal ballast, optimized aerodynamics, and strong energy output.
- Vertical Bifacial Panels: Stand upright, generate energy from both sides, and reduce wind and snow load.

We explain the pros, cons, and best applications for each solution — a must-read for sustainability managers, facility managers, architects, and solar installers.

Discover how to unlock solar potential on load-restricted rooftops:

Discover the best lightweight solar panels for commercial rooftops. Compare glue-on solar systems, low load solar mounting systems, and vertical bifacial solar panels. Learn how to reduce structural load and unlock solar for flat and sensitive roofs.

18/05/2026

“The only future for the grid in Australia is solar and battery and wind. The question is not how we get there; it's just how quickly we choose to build it.” (Huon Hoogesteger)

At this years’ Smart Energy Conference, Huon Hoogesteger told a story worth telling: the solar story. Since he began in the industry 20 years ago, renewables have rapidly become the only way forward for Australia’s energy future.

So the question (in Huon’s words) is “why, when it works this well, is there still resistance?!”

Watch the full panel on YouTube ➡️ https://bit.ly/3P9FFem

12/05/2026

🌞 Smart is looking for a Senior Project Engineer to join our growing delivery team.

Over the past 14 years, we’ve delivered more than 220MW of commercial renewable energy projects across Australia, including complex solar, battery storage and microgrid systems for some of the country’s best-known businesses and organisations.

We’re now looking for an experienced engineer who can confidently lead project delivery, communicate well with clients and contractors, and help deliver high-quality outcomes across a diverse portfolio of commercial energy projects.

You’ll be joining a capable, supportive team with exposure to some of the most interesting commercial renewable energy work happening in Australia right now.

Learn more and apply here:
https://bit.ly/3PvCbD2

11/05/2026

We are beyond proud to share that Smart has signed an historic MOU with the Republic of Nauru to help transform the energy future of the world’s smallest island nation and reduce its reliance on diesel power.

This marks a major milestone in our growing work in the Pacific, and is the result of years of vision, persistence and relationship-building by our MD, Huon Hoogesteger.

The Pacific matters deeply to us. Many island nations are still heavily dependent on diesel, and we believe solar and storage can play a powerful role in improving energy security, affordability and long-term independence.

Huge thanks to the Smart Energy Council for helping bring this opportunity together, and to the Government of Nauru for placing their trust in us.

Read more on Renew Economy ➡️ https://bit.ly/4d79iWZ

RenewEconomy, Scott hamilton, David Mcilrea

07/05/2026

What a night!

Smart Commercial Energy was absolutely thrilled to win the Outstanding Member Award at the Smart Energy Council Gala Awards last night.

The award recognised our contribution to the commercial and industrial renewable energy sector through innovation, advocacy, industry education, and community impact over the past 14 years.

To be recognised by the industry alongside so many people and businesses we respect means a huge amount to our team.

It was also a very special evening celebrating John Grimes and everything he has contributed to Australia’s clean energy sector over the years. An incredible legacy, and a reminder of how far this industry has come.

Huge thanks to the Smart Energy Council, our partners, customers and team for being part of the journey.

And congratulations to all the finalists and winners. There’s some seriously impressive work happening across this industry right now.

04/05/2026

We’re proud to share that we’ve just installed Australia’s FIRST Sungrow PowerKeeper battery and hybrid inverter for Team Medical Supplies. The 100kWh BESS was installed to complement an existing 200kW solar system in the carpark of the customer’s premises in Sydney’s Hills District.

What makes this one interesting isn’t just the milestone. It’s what the technology unlocks.

PowerKeeper is a modular, DC-coupled system designed for commercial sites, which means:

🔋 Battery and solar work as one system, not bolt-ons

🔋 Capacity can scale as the business grows

🔋 High performance without overbuilding or wasted spend

It’s a much more flexible way to approach storage, especially for businesses that already have solar and want to get more out of it.

For Team Medical Supplies, it’s about control. More of their own energy used on site, less exposure to the grid, and a system that’s built to evolve with them.

And for the market, it’s a sign of where things are heading. Smarter integration, fewer barriers, and storage that actually fits commercial reality.

Great to deliver this with Sungrow and continue our investment in market-leading innovation. Stay tuned for an in-depth case study video, coming soon!