iTWire

EnergyAustralia invested due to Redback’s hardware and software innovations that provide homeowners with reliable, affordable and cleaner energy solutions.

Under the partnership, EnergyAustralia will promote the Redback Generation 2 Smart Hybrid Solar Inverter System to its 1.7 million customers in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia.

The solar inverter system is scalable, easy to install and offers a fast return on investment. It can be run from a smartphone and is also battery- and solar panel-agnostic working well with existing systems.

Philip Livingston, founder and managing director of Redback Technologies, says the investment will allow Redback to continue developing smarter technologies. “Our partnership with EnergyAustralia significantly accelerates Redback’s technology roadmap and strategic plan for leading the disruptive change required for mass adoption of renewables. Today marks a new day for the clean energy sector in Australia, and we could not be happier,” he said.

Andrew Perry, EnergyAustralia executive – NextGen, said the investment reflects the energy retailer’s commitment to giving consumers more control over their energy consumption in ways that help households save money and reduce carbon emissions.

“We know electricity costs are a concern for many households and the ability to manage consumption is a key to keeping bills low. With the Redback system, the customer can make the most of the energy captured on their rooftops – they decide if they want to use the energy right away, store that energy or even sell it to the electricity grid,” he said.

“As we’ve seen with solar systems, electric vehicles, and battery storage, people are excited about technology that can help them manage their energy use, reduce carbon emissions and save money. EnergyAustralia’s partnership with Redback Technologies is about helping great Australian ideas and innovation get to market,” Perry added.

The inverter includes Redback’s cloud-enabled intelligent system for analytics and remote control, the Ouija Board. Making use of the Internet of Things and technology gives homeowners and commercial users options through a smart device.

The technology uses machine learning to gather intelligence over time, learning from user preferences as well as drawing data from external factors like the weather.

Australians are transitioning to lower emission energy systems, with one in five homes around the country equipped with solar. EnergyAustralia is looking for smarter energy solutions for Australia. Its investment in Redback’s inverter technology will help deliver that.