The power bill pinch: why community energy matters more than ever
If your electricity bill has felt heavier lately, you're not imagining it. Between June 2023 and June 2025, power costs in Australia surged 27% above the consumer price index- and by a staggering 206% since 2000. [1] And it's not letting up: the Australian Energy Regulator has approved further price hikes for 2025–2026 [2]: up to 9.7%, or around $280 more per year for households, and as much as $489 for small businesses. [1]
The reasons are complex, from ageing coal plants closing faster than replacements come online, gas prices influencing wholesale electricity costs, and the real but temporary costs of upgrading infrastructure. But the impact is felt unevenly. Renters and apartment dwellers can't install rooftop solar and opt out of rising prices. Small businesses- who are already squeezed by cost-of-living pressures affecting their customers, also face some of the steepest increases of all, with limited options to respond.
That's exactly the gap community energy exists to fill.
Community solar lets people who don't own their roof, as well as small businesses that can't afford large upfront installation costs, invest in a share of a local solar installation and receive credits on their energy bills. Research shows that without renewables, wholesale electricity prices today would be up to 50% higher. [3] The Goulburn Community Solar Farm, which Pingala attended at its launch in March, is a living example of this in action- local people and businesses pooling resources to generate clean energy, keep returns in the community, and reduce their exposure to volatile energy markets.
The energy transition is coming either way. Community solar is how we make sure renters, apartment dwellers, and small businesses aren't left behind.
You can be part of the solution. Whether you're a renter, a strata resident, or a small business owner, there are ways to get involved- from joining a community solar project as an investor, to bringing Pingala into a conversation with your body corporate or landlord. The power to change your energy future doesn't have to start with owning a roof. It can start with your community.
👉 Get in touch at info@pingala.org.au to find out what's possible for you.
References
Energy Tracker Asia, The Cost of Electricity in Australia: Can Renewables Finally Bring Prices Down?, October 2025. Available at: Energy Tracker
Australian Energy Regulator, Default Market Offer 2025–26 Final Determination, 2025. Available at: aer.gov.au
CLimate Council Australia, What is the Cheapest Form of Electricity for Australia?, February 2026. Available at: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/what-is-the-cheapest-form-of-electricity-for-australia/