About Us | Smart Commercial Solar

In The Beginning

Smart Commercial Solar was born in 2012 when our Founder & Managing Director Huon Hoogesteger saw the need for increasing the standard of commercial solar and disrupting the traditional energy retail model with Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)

The business started its focus in the geographical areas where businesses were hurting the most regarding electricity prices. Smart assisted businesses in regional NSW offset some of the highest network prices in Australia while growing its team and capability.

Huon Hoogesteger- Managing Director

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Three solar experts on a rooftop, overseeing solar panels generating clean energy on a building.

Ahead of The Curve

In these early days, we pioneered the popularity of PPAs, which accelerated the uptake of solar in the commercial space. In late 2012 and early 2013, we helped to incorporate ClearSky Solar Investments (CSSI) and were ready to go-to-market with our unwavering dedication to quality support and service.

From that point on, it was blue skies for Smart Commercial Solar. We grew our capability by recruiting the top talent in the field and doubled down on our data-driven approach, which helped us to secure our first key clients; HammondCare and Bunnings Warehouse.

We also gained several industry recognitions, including winning the Australian Innovation Challenge, being named an Anthill Smart 100 Company, and receiving several nominations for Clean Energy Council design awards, which we won in 2019.

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At Smart Commercial Solar, We’re Proud to Have Achieved Industry Firsts and Standout Accomplishments, Including:

Establishing CSSI and turning it into the most successful community-funded PPA provider in the country.

Acquiring the Carlton & United Breweries behind-the-meter PPA projects, which is Australia's largest corporate rooftop PPA encompassing two of the top five largest rooftop solar systems in Australia.

In 2019, acquiring the largest behind-the-meter solar project in Australia for McCain Foods (Aust) Pty Ltd on another bespoke PPA arrangement.

In 2020, we've continued to roll out projects for longstanding clients like Bunnings Warehouse, Frasers Property and Officeworks.

Adapting to a New World

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged businesses in many ways, however, the need for clean, reliable and cost-effective energy has never been more important. That's why we responded with our own Smart 'stimulus package', designed to strengthen the support offered by the Federal Government.

To ease cash flow, we offered our existing PPA customers six-month payment holidays and the option to 'buy back' their existing system. We also extended repayment holidays to new customers, along with upfront cash boosts to help them overcome any COVID-related measures needed to keep operating.

We also ensured that all of our processes met COVID safe guidelines on every site, so we could continue to deliver on our promise of affordable clean energy for Australian businesses.