Businesses
Community investment can make the transition to renewable energy easier for businesses.
Pingala supports businesses install solar, while also bringing their community together to raise capital for the project .
Businesses reap the benefits of green energy and community investors get great return on investment- forging strong community connections.
Projects
Pingala put 115 solar panels on the roof of Young Henrys, a craft brewery in inner-west Newtown in 2016. We raised finance for the project from the local community, by holding an Investor Event in the tasting bar of the brewery. Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney, launched the Event, speaking to over 150 attendees who had submitted expressions of interest to invest in the project.
The 29.9kW solar system we installed enabled Young Henrys to produce “solar-powered beer”, reducing their carbon footprint, and adding to their suite of environmental initiatives. Community investors will receive a ROI of between 5%-7% on their investment in the project.
We are grateful to the City of Sydney for all their support for this project.
In 2021, Pingala and Young Henrys got the team back together to set up a second solar installation on the roof at Newtown bringing solar power to 100% of the site’s energy needs.
Young Henrys
Allambi Care is a leading provider of Disability Services, Residential Care, Foster Care, and Family and Clinical Support in the Newcastle, Central Coast & Hunter Regions. The centre at Charlestown provides a hub for over 500 staff as they work to provide 24 hour support to young people and their families.
This project site was selected by Lake Macquarie Council after an 18-month engagement process with local businesses.
Local solar firm, Solar Power Australia, was our technical partner for the project, and installed a 60.35kW 3 phase solar system in November 2019.
Solar power for Allambi Care is funded by the Allambi Care community, the Pingala community and Lake Macquarie/Newcastle locals.
Community members who invest in the Pingala Co-operative became members as well as shareholders in the Co-op: so now they’re co-owners of the Pingala Co-operative too.
