Here’s Why Solar Makes More Sense Than Ever
If you’re running a small business in South-East Queensland, chances are your electricity bill isn’t what it used to be, and it’s not just you.
Each year, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) sets the Default Market Offer (DMO), a benchmark electricity price that acts as a cap for standard retail plans. While you might be on a market deal, the DMO gives a reliable picture of where prices are heading across the board.
And here’s the catch: it keeps going up.
In the Energex region (which covers most of SE QLD), the average small business energy bill has jumped by more than 60% in the past five years.
How Much Have Energy Prices Increased?
Here’s what the DMO looks like for a small business using 10,000 kWh per year:
Financial Year | DMO (10,000 kWh Usage) |
2021–22 | $2,758.50 |
2022–23 | $3,446.00 |
2023–24 | $4,202.00 |
2024–25 | $4,261.00 |
2025–26 (Draft) | $4,439.00 |
This steep and steady increase represents a serious long-term risk to your operating costs, especially for energy-intensive businesses. Waiting it out isn’t a strategy. Taking action is!
Why Solar Makes Sense — Now More Than Ever
Installing solar gives your business the power to:
- Generate your own clean electricity
- Lower your power bill
- Reduce or eliminate daytime grid usage
That means real, tangible savings — every month.
A tailored commercial solar system can reduce your electricity costs by 30% to 70%, depending on your business hours, energy usage profile, and available roof space.
But the benefits don’t stop at bill savings. Solar gives your business:
- Energy price stability – Protect your bottom line from future price hikes
- Improved energy efficiency – Use your generated solar power first
- Sustainability credentials – Improve your environmental footprint and marketability
- Asset ownership – Turn your roof into a productive asset
Adding Battery Storage: Going One Step Further
Pairing solar with battery energy storage takes your energy independence to the next level.
Here’s how:
- Store excess solar during the day to use later — especially useful if your business operates into the evening or early morning.
- Reduce peak demand charges by drawing on your battery instead of the grid during high-tariff periods.
- Stay operational during outages — maintain business continuity with backup power.
- Maximise your solar ROI — by using more of your own generated energy instead of exporting it back to the grid at low feed-in tariffs.
Battery systems can be scaled to suit your business size, operating hours, and energy goals — whether you’re looking to cut bills further, increase self-sufficiency, or ensure backup during blackouts.
Finance Without the Financial Strain
Worried about upfront costs? Don’t be.
OneAU Energy offers solar and battery finance solutions with:
- $0 upfront payment
- Fixed monthly repayments
- Tax-deductible options
- Cash flow-positive results in most cases
You can start saving immediately — while paying off the system over time.
Book Your Free Energy Analysis Today
Let’s find out exactly how much your business could be saving.
OneAU Energy offers free, no-obligation energy assessments for commercial sites across Queensland. We’ll analyse your current usage, design a tailored solar + battery system, and show you the numbers before you commit.
Call me on 0423955793 or email nat@oneauenergy.com.au