Solpod: An Australian Made clean, green future.

Solpod is helping drive Australia’s transition to a sustainable, clean energy future through its innovative approach to Australian Made solar installation technology.

Founded in 2017 by a team of solar executives, Solpod aims to make rooftop solar power more accessible to businesses, with the company’s array of relocatable, easy-to-install solar systems pre-fabricated in its Dandenong based warehouse in Victoria.

James Larratt, Chief Executive of Solpod, believes his company is servicing a significant gap in the clean energy market, where commercial tenants are often left unable to access solar power due to the usual requirement for a long-term commitment.

“Solpod offers the world’s first re-deployable solar system that can be rapidly installed and removed on rooftops or fields. Our rentable solar pods mean more businesses can access solar power without the need to worry about a long-term commitment,” said Mr Larratt. “We are thrilled to help businesses realise their dreams to occupy sustainable buildings and to reduce their carbon emissions through the installation of our very own Australian Made Solpods.”

“To create our Solpod product, a grouping of 10 solar PV panels are assembled into one pod. Our most popular installation involves 21 pods (100kWp), which cuts carbon emissions to an equivalent level of taking 21 cars off the road or planting 500 trees. Each time we install one we’re effectively putting a forest on an Australian factory rooftop.”

“The process of prefabrication in a controlled factory setting, means our product is subject to a high level of quality control. Solpods are flat packed and trucked to site, and unfold during installation,” said Mr Larratt. “As the Solpods are pre-assembled, the installation process is a lot quicker than regular solar panels; a 100kW Solpod installation completed in only one day, using a crane that does all the heavy lifting.”

Mr Larratt said the innovative idea came to fruition following a flight from Melbourne to Sydney, where he noticed a number of warehouses who weren’t harnessing the power of solar technology due to being occupied by commercial tenants.

Inspired to create a solar installation system that better suited the needs of commercial tenants, Solpod founders joined forces to develop the Australian Made Solpod product.

“Manufacturing our products in Australia came down to a few things. The founders of Solpod are all experienced Australian solar executives. The team recognised Australia’s homegrown expertise in solar and our country’s standing as a global leader in solar innovation; but we also saw the benefits that manufacturing locally had on communities,” said Mr Larratt.

Proudly Australian Made, Solpod decided to use the iconic green and gold kangaroo logo on its locally made products. A true mark of Aussie authenticity, the logo allows Solpod to leverage the well-known attributes of the kangaroo logo when marketing its product to the world.

“The Australian Made logo is globally recognised and aligns perfectly with our values of producing products of the highest quality in a clean, green environment,” said Mr Larratt. "When consumers and businesses choose Australian Made, they know that they are buying well-made products. Not only will these products perform exceptionally, they are made by Australians and support the Australian economy.”

“Building on the success of Australia’s proven track record in the uptake of solar in the domestic market, Solpod sees great potential for commercial solar and for Australian businesses to now step up and reduce their emissions.”

One business that has shown great enthusiasm for the Australian Made Solpod technology is Colonial Brewery.

“We were thrilled to install a 100KW Solpod system on Colonial Brewery who are keen to operate a greener and more sustainable brewery,” said Mr Larratt.

“Colonial Brewery is a client that really valued Solpod’s rapid installation process, as it meant minimal disruption to the operations of their brewery. Our pods were installed in only one day. In honour of their newly established solar system they launched the ‘Gone Green’ limited edition beer, which sold out in record time and demonstrated the public’s appetite for cleaner businesses producing more sustainable products.”

You can watch Solpod install its Australian Made solar installation system on Colonial Brewery here: