Regional bulk-buy solar schemes pay dividends for SA-based Cool or Cosy

Almost 20 other councils across three states have approached Adelaide-based Cool or Cosy about potential bulk-buys of solar technology for their residents, following the success of a Port Pirie scheme.

Cool or Cosy managing director Glenn Morelli says councils are keen to help their residents purchase solar systems. Kelly Barnes/The Australian

• Port Pirie’s solar community to cut bills and boost business
• Port Pirie, Adelaide’s north lead the rush to get solar batteries
• Cool or Cosy buys SA solar panel maker Tindo

Almost 20 councils across three states have approached Adelaide-based Cool or Cosy about potential bulk-buys of solar technology for residents, following the success of a scheme led by Port Pirie Council.

Once installations are complete, the Iron Triangle town’s project will involve about 300 residents having solar panels or batteries installed on their rooftops, and now other councils are now keen to follow suit.

Cool or Cosy managing director Glenn Morelli said he expected up to another 300 households to sign up to a similar project in the Barunga West district, which centres around Port Broughton.

The Torrensville-based business was also fielding inquiries from many more districts, including some in New South Wales and Queensland.

“All of those have approached us – we haven’t cold-called them,” Mr Morelli said.

Under the schemes, residents are able to buy solar technology cheaper than if they were a sole purchaser.

High electricity prices were driving a surge in interest but the industry was also bolstered by government subsidies and German battery maker Sonnen’s entry to the market.

Cool or Cosy has partnered with Sonnen to install its batteries.

“It’s buoyant across the industry as a whole and we’re in a unique position with our local manufacturing – we can control our own destiny and we’re not reliant on Chinese manufacturers,” Mr Morelli said.

Mr Morelli’s other company, Tindo Solar, at Mawson Lakes, was the only solar panel manufacturer in the southern hemisphere.

“It doesn’t matter where you are in Australia, solar installations are creating records,” he said. Sales at Cool or Cosy were up about 25 per cent compared with this time last year, and Tindo recorded a 40 per cent rise.

The extra interest in solar meant the company had employed about 10 extra staff, and Mr Morelli said it was likely another 5-10 heads would be needed over the next year to cater for growing demand.

The State Government is offering rebates of up to $6000 for people installing new solar batteries and panels, and in the lead up to the federal election, both Labor and Liberal have also pledged to introduce new battery subsidies.

“Whoever wins, there’s going to be further subsidies rolled out and based on that I’d see it getting bigger,” Mr Morelli said.

The company was about half way through its Port Pirie installations and was now fielding interest from local businesses keen to reduce their overheads through solar systems.

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