Vinnies NSW shares solar power across more than 200 sites

Vinnies NSW has introduced a solar energy-sharing arrangement across its sites in New South Wales, linking rooftop solar generation at more than 30 locations with electricity use at more than 200 others.

The charity is working with retailer Next Business Energy and software company Enosi on the setup, which matches surplus electricity generated at one Vinnies location with demand at another. The arrangement covers stores, services and warehouses across the state.

Under the model, solar exports from participating sites are allocated against electricity consumption elsewhere in the organisation's property portfolio. This allows sites with rooftop solar to help offset bills at locations that cannot install panels, including premises in dense urban areas.

The change is intended to cut energy costs and direct more money to community support. Vinnies NSW assists people experiencing disadvantage and hardship through food, financial help, household goods and a network of frontline services.

The matching system uses Enosi's Powertracer software and is offered through Next Business Energy's Next Share Direct plan. The companies said the software matches solar exports with demand in half-hour intervals throughout the day.

For customers with multiple sites, this allows electricity generated from their own panels to be applied to other parts of their portfolio. For organisations with a mix of owned buildings and leased premises, it offers a way to extend the value of rooftop solar beyond the properties where panels are installed.

Cost savings

Vinnies NSW expects the arrangement to reduce its power bills. It also said participating sites would receive more than eight times the standard feed-in tariff when solar exports are matched with demand under the plan.

Kathryn Kerr, Chief Financial Officer at St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, linked the energy savings to the charity's wider work.

"We are proud to take this step toward a net-zero future, bringing together innovation and purpose to power our mission," Kerr said.

"By harnessing the solar energy generated across our sites, we've been able to reduce our energy bills, which allows us to free up more resources for the people we assist, and help the planet at the same time," she said.

The organisation has more than 100 local services and programs across New South Wales. Its retail network includes op shops, while its broader operations include crisis and community support services that carry regular electricity costs.

Shared supply

The companies involved described the rollout as a way to broaden access to solar-backed electricity beyond buildings that can host their own systems. In practice, energy generated at one Vinnies site can be used to offset consumption at another part of the network.

Adam Vagvolgyi, Executive General Manager, Sales and Marketing, at Next Business Energy, said the charity had been a customer before adopting the new product.

"Vinnies NSW has been a long-standing customer of Next Business Energy and it's been exciting to launch such a progressive product offering to maximise their excess solar export," Vagvolgyi said.

"Vinnies coming onboard with the product really demonstrates their commitment to sustainability," he said.

Enosi said its platform also includes a digital portal that gives users data on solar exports and electricity consumption. Vinnies NSW is using that information to track usage and monitor the performance of the rooftop systems involved in the program.

For charities and other multi-site operators, energy has become a larger budget item as power prices remain volatile. Measures that reduce operating costs can directly affect the funds available for frontline work, particularly for organisations with extensive retail and service footprints.

Steve Hoy, Chief Executive Officer at Enosi, said the Vinnies rollout showed how a large not-for-profit could use shared solar to lower costs across a dispersed estate.

"Vinnies NSW is a perfect example of how an organisation with affordable access to energy can pass on energy savings for the benefit of its work in the community," Hoy said.

"Our goal is to make the benefits of clean energy more accessible to everyone, organisations and individuals. By working with Next Business Energy to seamlessly connect Vinnies' sites through our platform, we've enabled one of Australia's largest not-for-profit multi-site organisations to unlock immediate savings and long-term sustainability," he said.