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Café 2823, a commercial café in Trangie, NSW, was equipped with a 40kW solar system and 72kWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The project was designed to help the customer achieve 90% independence from the grid while providing automatic blackout protection during random grid outages.
Before the installation, Café 2823 faced high electricity costs and increasing energy demand as the café continued to use more energy over time. The site also experienced frequent power outages, while limited roof space required a carefully planned system design using a bigger inverter and efficient string configuration. The customer wanted greater energy independence, lower electricity bills and reliable backup power without relying on a diesel generator during blackouts.
• High electricity costs and growing energy demand
• Limited roof space requiring efficient system design
• Frequent and unpredictable grid outages
• Need for reliable battery backup and blackout protection
• Goal of achieving greater energy independence and lower bills
• No EV charger required for this site
• Custom MPPT inverter and solar panel layout for better efficiency
Up Energy delivered a fully integrated 40kW hybrid solar system with 72kWh of battery storage, designed to maximise energy independence, reduce grid reliance and provide reliable backup power for the café.
• 40kW hybrid solar system
• 72kWh battery energy storage system
• 86 × 475W Trina Solar panels
• Fox ESS H3-Pro 30kW 3-phase hybrid inverter
The system was engineered to deliver intelligent energy management and long-term reliability, using Fox ESS technology with expert in-house design and installation.
• Grid-connected hybrid system configuration
• Integrated Fox ESS energy storage technology
• Designed for improved efficiency on a smaller roof
• Installed by Up Energy's in-house electricians and system designers
The installation generates an estimated 57,600 kWh of clean energy annually, helping Café 2823 achieve approximately 80% energy independence and reduce electricity costs by around 80% annually. Seasonal savings have reached up to 68% in winter, 85% in spring, 96% in summer and 78% in autumn. The system also delivers seamless automated backup power, removing the need for the café owner to rely on a diesel generator during grid outages. Its environmental impact is equivalent to 1,042 trees planted, 17,302 litres of fuel avoided and 19,664 kg of coal not burned each year.
57,600
46,586
35,465
24,344
12,223
Annual Energy Generation
80
79
65
54
43
Energy Independence
$15
$14
$13
$11
$09
Estimated Annual Savings
3–4
2–3
1–2
Expected Payback Period
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