City of Unley Community Renewables Program

Solar and battery Bulk Buy for homes

Access to affordable, reliable renewable energy and reducing emissions is important to our Community.

We are excited to offer our residents the chance to participate in the City of Unley Community Renewables Program, an innovative bulk-buy program that gives access to renewable energy technologies (e.g. solar panels, battery and Virtual Power Plant solutions) to help reduce energy bills and empower residents to be energy resilient and sustainable.

By joining the City of Unley’s Renewables Program residents can save money and help to establish a local renewable energy network that powers our community sustainably and continues to create ongoing financial and environmental benefits for residents now and into the future.

Council is partnering with ShineHub to deliver a bulk buy for solar panel, battery and Virtual Power Plant packages. ShineHub is a leading installer of solar battery solutions in SA and has a history of running successful solar and battery bulk buys for SA councils including the Cities of Mitcham, Charles Sturt, Campbelltown and Marion.

As part of the Program, we will host informative Community Information Events where you will learn about a wide range of topics including:

  • Solar 101: Get the basics on how solar energy works and why it is an affordable, smart and sustainable choice for your home.
  • Products: Learn from ShineHub about the high-quality solar panels and batteries available as part of the bulk-buy.
  • Virtual Power Plants (VPP): Discover how connecting to a VPP can benefit both you and the community.
  • Packages and pricing: Learn about the bulk buy and VPP discounts and how they can save you money.
  • Process: Find out what to expect from start to finish when you choose to go solar with ShineHub.
  • Energy resiliency: Find out about how ShineHub batteries have ‘blackout mode’ which can allow you to have power during a blackout and how batteries and the VPP can help to stabilise the local grid.

You will also hear from Council about how this exciting initiative will help us to deliver a climate resilient, sustainable future for our community and have an opportunity to speak to the experts from ShineHub about the benefits of going solar for your home to help get you started.

Register with Shinehub to stay updated on event dates, locations, pricing and packages available.

REGISTER NOW

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the City of Unley offering the Community Renewables Program?

The City of Unley recognises its role in supporting residents, helping them to save money on their energy bills, while powering our community more sustainably.

By making cost effective renewable energy solutions available we will help the community navigate electricity price increases and cost of living challenges, while at the same time delivering our goals for a climate resilient and sustainable future.

What is the City of Unley Community Renewables Program?

The City of Unley Community Renewable Energy Program Solar and Battery Bulk Buy has been designed to help residents affordably transition to solar power solutions for their energy needs. It makes affordable solar panel, hybrid panel and battery or battery retrofit solutions available to people who sign up to participate. For more information on the program please visit our bulk buy partner website at ShineHub.

We encourage you to register your interest to participate by registering on the website above. You will then receive all bulk buy communications including when and where the live community events will be held, as well as how to secure your tickets for your preferred date. 

What will this cost the City of Unley?

We are not buying or financing the Community Renewables Program. After a rigorous process, ShineHub was selected to collaborate with to give our community with affordable solar solutions.

How did we select ShineHub?

We undertook a thorough selection process and selected Shine Hub based on their track record, expertise, and commitment to community values.

With over 6,500 satisfied customers across Australia, including most recently residents in the City of Mitcham in South Australia, ShineHub's products, dedication to customer experience and community-focused approach aligned with our vision for renewable energy future for Unley. 

Are there other solar companies involved?

No. ShineHub is the only authorised provider under our Community Renewables Program.

Can I choose my own energy retailer?

Absolutely. If you sign up with ShineHub for solar and/or a battery (or just a battery if you already have solar) you can stay with your existing energy retailer - there's no obligation or requirement to change retailers. The same is true if you choose to install a battery and join ShineHub's Virtual Power Plant (the ShineHub VPP) is completely retailer independent (unlike a lot of other VPPs on the market) which means you can stay with your existing retailer or switch to a better retail electricity offer from another retailer as you please.

What is the solar Bulk Buy Offer?

Registered bulk buy participants will get access to exclusive pricing on the bulk buy packages available. Pricing will be announced closer to the first event dates in November 2024. The more people that register to participate, the better the value will be that we can unlock for everyone. There will be packages and pricing to suit a wide variety of needs including:

  • Solar panels only.
  • Solar Panel and battery solutions.
  • Solar battery retrofits. 

How do I get the offer?

Once the packages and pricing are released, Shinehub will publish the packages and pricing options on their website. There are two ways that you can get the offer.

1)  Attend one of our community events where our bulk buy provider ShineHub will be in attendance. Subject to demand you can bring along your last electricity bill and have a consultation at the end of the community event or arrange for a consultation at a future date that suits you.

2) Simply follow the instructions on the website to request a quote and solar consultation. Please note that Event attendees who request a consultation will be prioritised. This will be the same for our installations - event attendees who take up the offer will have their installation prioritised on a first come first served basis.

How does solar work?

Solar panels help generate renewable energy for your home during the day and the battery supports your power needs after the sun goes down. It’s the best way to secure affordable energy costs for the long term and be part of the local Virtual Power Plant.

When solar panels make electricity during the day, you need to use the power straight away in the house to get the full savings.  If you don’t, your solar power goes back to the grid, and you only get a very small credit in return.

By adding a battery, you can store your extra daytime solar power so that you can use it at night.  That way, you rarely need to use expensive grid power at peak times, and you aren’t leaving your electricity bill exposed to prices that seem to be flying up every year.

If I already have solar panels can I just get a battery?

Yes, you can! About half of our bulk buy participants for similar programs already had panels and just got a battery. 

Why do I need a battery?

Solar panels help generate renewable energy for your home during the day and the battery supports your power needs after the sun goes down. It’s the best way to secure affordable energy costs for the long term, allows you to have power during a blackout, and be part of the local Virtual Power Plant.

When solar panels make electricity during the day, you need to use the power straight away in the house to get the full savings.  If you don’t, your solar power goes back to the grid, and you only get a very small credit in return.

By adding a battery, you can store your extra daytime solar power so that you can use it at night.  That way, you rarely need to use expensive grid power at peak times, and you aren’t leaving your electricity bill exposed to prices that seem to be flying up every year.

What’s a Virtual Power Plant?

A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a way to harness renewable energy for your local community, reducing electricity costs and blackouts at the same time. 

Visit ShineHub's website for more information about VPPs.

I have pricing questions

Register your interest for our upcoming information events. We will be publishing packages and pricing nearer to the events. Remember the more people that register on our site, the more value we can unlock for bulk buy participants.

Can I participate if I don’t own my own home?

Yes you can but your landlord will need to come on board. Register your interest for our upcoming information events and come along armed with your questions.