The 2020 Clean Energy Council Awards winners announced
The awards recognise Allume Energy, Tilt Renewables and Future Energy Skills and Ellis Jones for excellence in innovation, community engagement and marketing and communication respectively.
The winners announced today demonstrate the extraordinary innovation and leadership in the rapidly expanding renewable energy industry in Australia.
Today’s announcement allows the Clean Energy Council to shine a spotlight on these leaders of the Australian renewable energy industry and reward the organisations’ contribution to furthering the development of clean energy in Australia.
In addition, Giles Parkinson, founder and editor of RenewEconomy, has been recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to Industry Award for his passion and dedication to a well-informed and truthful national conversation on the transition to clean energy.
The 2020 Clean Energy Council Award winners are:
- Innovation Award - Allume Energy deployed its SolShare technology on a community housing apartment building in Melbourne. SolShare is a behind-the-meter solar sharing technology that enables solar power from a single rooftop PV system to be shared by multiple units within a building. In the first six months of the technology’s deployment, the Solshare system met 39 per cent of residents’ total electricity demand and reduced each apartment’s electricity bill by over $155.
- Community Engagement Award - Tilt Renewables implemented an extensive benefit-sharing plan for the community surrounding the Dundonnell Wind Farm. The plan included the installation of a mini-grid, a road safety fund, support for local not-for-profit organisations, community organisations and mental health providers, a major contribution towards safe housing for women fleeing domestic violence and education funding for residents. In addition to maintaining Tilt Renewables’ social licence in the region, the plan will create a lasting legacy by helping the prevention of suicide, supporting vulnerable communities and creating educational opportunities.
- Marketing and Communication Award - Future Energy Skills and Ellis Jones developed the Know your Battery campaign, which was designed to generate consumer awareness of, and demand for, accredited solar battery electricians by communicating the benefits of hiring qualified tradespeople. Using a multi-channel strategy that included a campaign microsite, social media marketing and a paid partnership with The Guardian, the campaign achieved almost 25,000 page views. It also successfully increased consumer and industry awareness of accredited tradespeople and training.
- Outstanding contribution award - “It’s an honour to recognise the achievements of Giles Parkinson and his flagship industry publication RenewEconomy as a go-to for industry insights and commentary on the most important issues for the clean energy transition,” said Thornton. “In a media environment that is changing, challenging and increasingly partisan, Giles has stood out for his strong communication and detailed exploration of the complex issues confronting the clean energy sector, keeping the industry honest and well-informed. His passion for good media and the clean energy transition is unrivalled, and to the benefit of the clean energy industry.”
“While we can’t bring everyone together to celebrate these wonderful achievements under one roof, we congratulate the winners, the other finalists and the thousands of dedicated professionals and tradespeople across the country whose incredible efforts and results are reflected in the achievements of the finalists and award winners,” said Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton.
