There's so much sun in regional WA - so, how do we harness it?
I hit the road with Horizon Power's CEO Stephanie Unwin to learn about the renewable energy solutions that are helping more of their customers tap into the benefits of solar.
Harnessing the sun
Bringing the benefits of solar to everyone
Whether you live in a remote community, rent your home, or are simply looking for affordable energy options, we believe you should have access to the benefits of solar.
Here’s how we’re delivering clean, reliable energy and helping customers save money in the process.
Oct 08, 2024
Rooftop solar for more homes
As more people switch to solar energy, it creates new challenges in maintaining a reliable power supply for all. This is because traditional electricity networks were designed to handle electricity flowing one way. In the past, some customers were unable to install rooftop solar due to limits on how much excess solar power the network could handle. With Smart Connect Solar, we use energy management to balance the varying levels of solar energy throughout the day, ensuring a stable grid and a reliable supply to the community. This means more households can install solar and cut their energy bills by generating their own clean energy.
Find out how Smart Connect Solar works and see how much you could save with solar.
Solar savings without solar panels
If you’re renting, have an eligible concession card, or ongoing financial hardship, you can still enjoy the benefits of solar energy with a Sunshine Saver subscription. For just $1 a day, eligible customers receive daily credits on their energy bill and discounts on their energy usage during daylight hours. It’s a simple, no-commitment way for more people to enjoy the benefits of solar power. Originally launched in Esperance, Sunshine Saver has expanded to other towns in the Mid-West. On average, customers save about 11% on their energy bills—about $219 per year.
Find out if you're eligible and how Sunshine Saver can reduce your energy bills.
How is Sunshine Saver possible?
We’re sharing the benefits of our investment in the Shark Lake Renewables Hub in Esperance with eligible customers who don’t have access to rooftop solar. We’ve since expanded Sunshine Saver in the towns of Wiluna, Yalgoo, Sandstone, Cue, Meekatharra, and Norseman, leveraging our investment in the Mid West Solar program.
As we develop our solar and battery storage projects, we can make Sunshine Saver available to more communities in the future.
Solar for remote communities
The Kimberley Communities Solar Saver program helps remote Aboriginal communities get access to the benefits of renewable energy. Instead of each household installing their own solar panels, we’re installing panels on a handful of buildings at each location. The energy produced is then shared across the entire community, lowering energy costs for everyone. On average, households in participating communities can save up to $450 a year on energy bills. This approach helps cut costs, reduce reliance on diesel, and lowers emissions.
Currently, this program is being tested in Warmun, followed by proposed communities Djarindjin & Lombadina, Beagle Bay, Ardyaloon and Bidyadanga over 2024 and 2025.
Clean energy solutions for local communities
We’re partnering with local communities to deliver renewable energy projects that benefit everyone.
We installed solar panels that will reduce the hospital’s energy use by 24%, saving about $70,000 in energy costs each year. It also cuts around 300 tonnes of carbon emissions annualy, helping both the hospital and the environment.
We've installed rooftop solar on 60 schools across regional WA. Participating schools can expect to lower their energy bills by around 24%, while significantly reducing their carbon emissions each year.
The Denham Hydrogen Demonstration Plant is the country's first remote renewable hydrogen microgrid and marks a major step forward in renewable energy, especially in remote areas. It uses a hybrid solar and hydrogen power system to help power the local grid.
Horizon Power acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images, names or voices of deceased people.