Engineering Packages for Australian Solar Installers, at a Fraction of the Cost
Clients: Multiple clients across Australia.
Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Australia
Project Type: Rooftop solar, Residential and C&I
About the Client
Archipelago Energy is a Melbourne-based renewable energy company. They build off-grid solar solutions for remote island communities in the Pacific. They work with local entrepreneurs to create commercially sustainable energy services.
The Challenge
Savo Island has around 3,000 people across 13 communities. 623 households. No modern energy infrastructure. Families cooked with biomass and paid for expensive diesel when electricity was available. A single return boat trip to the capital Honiara cost AUD 80 in fuel.
Archipelago Energy wanted to bring solar power to the entire island. They were preparing a grant application to the Australian Government. To get the grant approved, they needed a detailed technical report covering system design, sizing, technology selection, implementation planning, and costing.
They had deep experience in off-grid sustainability. What they lacked was hands-on off-grid solar engineering expertise. Someone who had designed and installed these systems before, and could put together a report that would hold up to government scrutiny.
What We Delivered
We delivered a complete technical and commercial package in 2 months. This gave Archipelago Energy everything they needed to secure funding and execute the project.
System design and sizing. We designed the full energy architecture for the island. 11 central solar plants (2.7 kW to 10.9 kW each) to power fish freezers, Starlink internet, churches, schools, and health posts. We also designed distributed household solar kits across three tiers (10W to 100W+) to serve all 623 families on a pay-as-you-go model.
Product identification and comparison. We evaluated five off-grid solar product platforms (Solarun, Spark Energy, Lumos, Amped Innovation, Tozzi Green). All Verasol-certified. We matched the right product to each household tier based on cost, reliability, and scalability. We obtained quotes from manufacturers and ran side-by-side comparisons.
Energy yield assessments. We ran generation analysis for the Savo Island location (9.15°S, 159.82°E). The data showed consistent year-round solar irradiance of 5.43 kWh/m²/day. This allowed us to eliminate costly battery autonomy requirements, reducing the overall project budget.
Detailed costing. We prepared line-item cost breakdowns for every component. Central plants, Distributed household systems Plus solar street lighting, transport, installation, and maintenance. The client got a fundable project budget with full transparency.
Operational planning. We designed the community-by-community rollout with phased timelines. We structured business models for local micro-IPP entrepreneurs. We created a tiered energy-as-a-service model so households could start small and upgrade over time.
By the Numbers
Families served
Central solar plants designed
Household solar kits specced
Total project value estimated
Product platforms evaluated
Engagement duration
623 across 13 communities
11 (community, school, health post)
654 units across 3 tiers
$585,000+
5
2 months
Client Testimonial
“Harsha and his team provided us with the highest quality of work, with an attention to detail and ethical standard that I would wish for in any service professional. Integrity and reliability are at the core of their work, and I consider them a trusted partner.”
Neil Salisbury, Co-Founder & Chair, Nature Co | Advisory Board Member, Melbourne Climate Futures Institute
