New guide helps put regional businesses in control of their energy
RE-Alliance, Farmers for Climate Action
EMBARGOED UNTIL 12.01 AM AEST, TUESDAY 25 AUGUST 2026
MEDIA RELEASE
Rising power bills, volatile diesel prices and unreliable supply are pushing regional businesses to look for better ways to meet their energy needs.
A new practical guide from RE-Alliance and Farmers for Climate Action will help farmers and other rural and regional small-business owners assess electrification options including solar, batteries, electric machinery, heating, stand-alone power systems, microgrids and energy trading.
Report co-author RE-Alliance Board Director Karin Stark said the guide will help regional business owners make informed energy choices:
“Across regional Australia, farms and small businesses are already finding ways to cut energy costs, reduce their exposure to diesel prices and gain more control over their power supply,” Stark said.
“But there is no single solution that will work for every business or every region. For some businesses, the best first step might be solar or an electric pump. For others, it could be battery storage, electric machinery or a stand-alone power system.
“This guide cuts through the complexity. It explains the main options in plain English, where they work best, their benefits and limitations, and the questions people should ask before investing.
“Australian regional businesses have always moved with the times. Now the times are electric.”
The guide comes as the federal government prepares to expand the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme from 100 kW to 1 MW from 1 October 2026, subject to the necessary regulations being in place. The change is expected to reduce the upfront cost of eligible mid-sized solar installations by around 20 per cent.
“The federal government’s decision to extend solar support to larger systems is welcome and could make solar stack up for many more farms and regional businesses,” Stark said.
Farmers for Climate Action CEO Verity Morgan-Schmidt said farmers were interested in technology that could make their businesses more efficient, resilient and competitive.
“On a farm, every piece of equipment has to earn its keep. Electrification should be no different,” Morgan-Schmidt said.
“As machinery, vehicles and energy systems change, farmers need practical information to decide which technologies can genuinely improve their operations. This guide will help farmers weigh up the costs, benefits and limitations, and take advantage of new opportunities as more of the economy moves to electricity.”
Electrifying the regions: A practical guide to electrification options for regional and rural businesses is available here and accompanying images here.
Media contact:
Monica Tan
0425 243 750
[email protected]
This project was funded by Energy Consumers Australia as part of its Grants Program to support consumer advocacy and research projects that benefit household and small business consumers. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Energy Consumers Australia.
ENDS
Case study images can be found here and quotes below:
- Ballarat, Victoria
Ballarat winemaker Michael Unwin has operated his winery off-grid since 2019, after being quoted around $40,000 simply to connect the new site to the electricity grid. He instead invested approximately $90,000 in a 6.6 kW solar system with nearly 25 kWh of usable battery storage, backed up by a diesel generator during extended periods of low sunlight.
“It’s not flashy or utopian—it’s a practical system that has worked really well for the business. In six years, I’ve never run out of power,” Unwin said.
“We still use the diesel generator during stretches of wet, overcast weather, particularly in winter. The next practical step would be adding more solar to our large north-facing roof. Even another $5,000 worth of panels could make a substantial difference, but small businesses have to make these investments when they can afford them.
“More power would also open up new possibilities for the winery. I’d like to use surplus solar energy to gradually produce and store ice, which we could then use to control the temperature of fermentations. Electrification isn’t just about replacing one energy source with another—it can give regional businesses new ways to work more efficiently and creatively.
“But it has to happen in manageable stages. Most working farmers and small-business owners don’t have another $50,000 sitting around, and it doesn’t always make sense to replace reliable equipment before the end of its useful life. You add what works for your business, when it stacks up.”
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Uralla, NSW
Uralla producer Justin Hoad, who runs a Merino sheep and cattle breeding operation in Northern NSW and uses electric motorbikes for stock work, said cost savings and low stress stock handling makes electrification worth it.
Mr Hoad said, “An electric bike costs about $1.50 to charge by grid or almost free with solar. It's quiet, light, no gears and no oil changes. It’s a perfect example of how electrification cuts reliance on imported fuel and makes it easier to do daily farm work".
Contact details:
Monica Tan
0425 243 750
[email protected]