By Kristy Battista, CTO Global | GM Australia, Allume

About Allume: Allume has developed a world-first smart hardware which shares energy from a single rooftop solar system fairly between multiple apartments.

In the pursuit of a sustainable future, we often focus on the technological advancements and innovations that can drive us towards cleaner energy solutions. And while these innovations are crucial, they are only part of the equation. The real challenge lies in how we bring these solutions to the end customers, the communities, the asset owners and the project developers.

At Allume, we believe that education and social license are paramount to a transition from more traditional sources of energy to renewable energy sources, such as solar for apartments. It’s not just about selling a product or solution; it’s about fostering understanding, collaboration and collective action.

Understanding the Community Journey

Transitioning to cleaner energy is not just about swapping one technology for another: it’s a significant cultural shift. Communities need to be brought along on this journey with care and consideration. This means understanding their needs, addressing concerns, and demonstrating the tangible benefits of clean technology solutions. It’s not enough to dictate what needs to be done; it’s crucial to explain why it matters. Engaging stakeholders on the ‘why’ behind clean energy solutions builds trust, buy-in and empowerment, essential for sustainable adoption.

ANU I2S’ research shows that technical capacity and engineering account for 10% or less of the reasons for clean energy project delays in Australia but stakeholder and community pressure is consistently ranked among the top three factors contributing to project delays or cancellations. The Australian Energy Industry Commissioner’s recent Community Engagement Review found that 92% of respondents surveyed were dissatisfied with the extent to which project developers engaged the local community. 

The Role of Policy and Program Design

Effective policy and program design are critical enablers of clean energy adoption. At Allume, we have found that the details around incentive structures and regulatory frameworks really matter.

Australia

Take, for example, the Victoria Solar for Apartments Program, which offers a $2,800 grant per apartment. An important detail of this program has been that the installer is paid the $2,800 rebate directly so that the apartment owners corporation have not had to find the money upfront to fund the installation to then receive the rebate later.

The community uptake of this fantastic federal and state initiative has been significant and showcases the power of targeted policy in driving real change at the grassroots level.

Global Policy Tailwinds

The momentum towards clean energy is not confined to Australia. Both the US and the UK are seeing fantastic policy developments that promise tangible impacts. From renewable energy tax credits to ambitious carbon reduction targets, these policy tailwinds create fertile ground for innovation and collaboration across borders.

UK and Europe

In the UK and Europe, a combined £8 billion from the ‘Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund’ and the ‘Energy Companies Obligation’ (ECO) is being used to combat fuel poverty and is already supporting SolShare installation rollouts on social housing across the UK.

ECO4 is an energy efficiency scheme that places a legal obligation on suppliers to increase the energy efficiency of domestic buildings. Allume worked with E.On, an energy supplier, to use ECO4 funding to fully fund a rooftop solar installation on Belmont Retirement. Joan, a Belmont resident on a single pension, has been needing to find ways of cutting back on expenses after experiencing a quadrupling in energy costs last year. Now because of the savings from being able to access rooftop solar, she says “I know the future is going to be a lot better for me. We need the pressure lifted as we get older”.

USA

In the US, the Inflation Reduction Act provides a 50% investment tax credit for solar installations on multifamily affordable housing and 30% for market-rate multifamily housing. Additionally, $7 billion in ‘Solar for All’ funding offers low cost project finance for multifamily solar projects.

Belhaven residential is a fantastic example of a community working together to bring rooftop solar to a low-income, historic neighbourhood in Jackson, Mississippi.

With temperatures regularly exceeding 100F (38oC) in Mississippi access to air-conditioning is a life or death issue especially for vulnerable populations. But energy costs are out of a range that many can afford.

Local champion, Alicia Brown, from the City of Savannah brought together all the appropriate stakeholders to bring SolShare technology to her community. This included Jennifer Welch, a local investor and landlord that cares about her tenants and having a positive impact in the community. Jennifer says tax incentives, accelerated depreciation and increasing the value of the property makes sense economically as an investor while also looking after the well-being of the tenants. A win-win situation. And the residents of Belhaven could not be happier, able to save some money and feel pride that they are reducing their carbon footprint.

Looking Ahead

As we look to the future, the challenge is clear: it’s not just about deploying technologies but about integrating them into communities and everyday lives.

At Allume, we are committed to leading by example, demonstrating that clean technology solutions can be both economically viable and socially beneficial. Together, we can build a sustainable future where clean energy is not just an option for some but a norm for all.

Even as a CTO, having built my career as an expert in developing technology solutions, I firmly believe that the limit to what we can achieve in the clean energy transition will not be restricted by technology but rather by our capacity for inclusivity, collaboration and thinking beyond ourselves. By embracing this challenge collectively, we can create a world where clean energy is accessible to all, paving the way for a healthier, more resilient planet for generations to come.

This is my personal mission. This is Allume’s collective mission. Join us in shaping a brighter tomorrow.

Kristy Battista, CTO Global | GM Australia, Allume

For more information on Allume, visit https://allumeenergy.com/.