Our project is focused on reducing energy costs for the most needy in our community. We have focused our efforts on unlocking renewable energy for the rental market, understanding that we needed to create a win:win outcome for both the landlord and the tenant.

Twenty-five percent of householders in Australia are renters and the overwhelming majority of tenanted properties do not have solar as there is little value for the landlord to invest in solar when they get no benefit from it.

Our platform provides cheaper and renewable energy to the tenant without any upfront cost, whilst delivering the landlord the opportunity to make a return from their solar investment on their investment properties. This is done through the development of hardware and software by 369 Labs Pty Ltd combined with the tenant focused energy plans from our energy retail brand, Beat Energy.

Today we are working with many Community Housing Providers to reduce the energy costs of their tenants through the installation of solar on these properties. This is especially valuable at a time when grid energy prices continue to increase.

• Learn more about Beat Energy (PDF, 607.5 KB)

Tenants have been seeking out renewables for some time now and they have felt left out of the renewable energy market as owner occupiers attain a lot of the benefits from renewables.

Landlords, and especially community housing providers, have been looking for a solution to ease the burden of high energy prices for their tenants, but a solution has not been available until now.

We have unlocked this market through innovative technology, and assisting the tenants in understanding how to get the most energy savings from their solar system. This is done by way of a physical in home product called Pulse® in addition to our Beat Energy App which provides real time information on energy usage and savings from the solar system; in addition to tips and hints on how to further reduce their energy bills.

• Learn more about Pulse® (PDF, 2.0 MB)
• Learn more about the Beat Energy App (video)

We decided to nominate our project to bring attention to the fantastic innovation in the renewable energy space that is happening right here in South Australia, and to celebrate the great work being done by some forward thinking and community minded not for profit organisations around reducing the energy costs of their tenants.

What we hope to achieve from this is:

• a broader market awareness of this solution and the success it is having in reducing energy costs for those most in need
• to have many other property investors, in both the not for profit sector and private sector, look to invest in these smart renewable energy solutions for their tenants to reduce energy costs.

Energy costs are a critical issue for households and businesses alike. If we can drive a reduction in energy costs for tenants, and do so profitably for the landlord, it will have the domino effect of reducing the operational costs for businesses, making them more competitive in the market in addition to providing householders with more disposable income for other activities.

We have a clear “can do” attitude within our state. It’s a great place to live and work with a competitive cost of living when compared to the eastern states.

The renewable energy sector is a growing sector and one which will embrace new innovations rapidly.

South Australia is a global leader in this space and with continued investment in innovative energy management solutions, we will be well positioned to achieve our significant renewable energy targets.

Our company is at the forefront of innovating new solutions to make our energy market greener, cheaper, fairer and more inclusive, whilst ensuring South Australia stays at the global forefront of innovative renewable energy solutions.

The Premier's Awards provide a fantastic platform to showcase all the market leading solutions being developed right here in SA. South Australia is dominated by small businesses and achieving recognition for local innovations through the Premier's Awards delivers a great marketable opportunity for our small business sector.

The moment we saw our first community housing tenant go from having her lights and electric heater switched off, staying in the dark under a blanket to keep warm, to then being in a warm house due to the solar system providing her with cheap energy and not being afraid to turn the lights on; this was when we realised we needed this solution needed to be given a lot more public exposure. (We have the photo to prove it, her smile is priceless.)

We needed to ensure landlords were aware that they can assist their tenants to reduce their energy costs and live more comfortably and safe through having access to cheap renewable energy, all whilst the landlords can also make a return on their solar investment.

• To offer a solution that is needed to those who need it most, educating and spending time with tenants in person and over the phone has had great impact in our learnings and motivating us to do it better
• Dealing with SA Power Networks power outages
• Major (solar) corporates not looking out for the best interest of their customers

This is an easy one, we asked the team and they all just smiled. We love this state, we love what we are doing and will continue to love what we do as long as we can.

We have world leading technology hardware and IP right here in SA. We hope for the opportunity in our travels to present it to every South Australian to make the right decision for them.

Don’t force “Green Wash”, onto a problem. Take the time to understand what the problem really is and collaborate with others (preferably other South Australians) to help deliver a solution that can deliver real value.