When power bills climb, smart businesses look for solutions. At IGA Morphett Vale in South Australia, that solution was GoodWe battery and inverter technology.
As part of Episode 7 of Energy Matters, the local supermarket opened its doors to show how solar and battery storage with GoodWe transformed its energy use, reduced costs, and brought it closer to net zero, all while keeping the fridges running and the lights on.
Energy-hungry business, smart solution
Supermarkets are notorious energy guzzlers. Fridges, freezers, lighting, and air conditioning run 24/7, meaning any chance to cut operating costs is welcome. But the team at IGA Morphett Vale weren’t just reacting to rising power prices, they were looking to future-proof their business.
According to Dean Williamson, Country Manager at GoodWe, this commercial installation came about after a strong partnership with retailer and installer Solarine.
“The objective from the store owners was first of all to eliminate as much of their daytime usage as they could,” said Dean on the Road to ZERO podcast. “Then they looked at batteries and decided to size up to offset night-time use as well.”
You can catch the full conversation with Dean in Episode 74 of the Road to ZERO Podcast.
The installation: Solar and storage at commercial scale
The system included:
- 60 kW of rooftop solar
- 30 kW GoodWe ET hybrid inverter
- 102.4 kWh of GoodWe Lynx F G2 battery storage
This combination now offsets almost all of their daytime usage and up to 50% of their nighttime usage, a major win for a business that never truly powers down.
Not only that, but the store’s owners are already planning to double the system in size, with the goal of offsetting both day and night-time energy use almost entirely.
Why now? The tipping point for commercial battery adoption
For years, batteries struggled to stack up economically for small and medium-sized businesses. But that’s changed.
Dean explained:
“As soon as we saw those feed-in tariffs really drop off and the price of battery raw materials come down significantly, we could see commercial storage following the same growth curve as solar.”
Add in soaring power prices and increasingly competitive storage options, and batteries now make financial sense for more businesses than ever.
The technology behind the savings
The system at Morphett Vale uses GoodWe’s ET Series three-phase hybrid inverter, paired with the Lynx F G2 battery: a modular, high-voltage storage system.
Each battery module is 3.2 kWh, stackable up to nine modules per unit, with a total capacity of up to 230 kWh per site. This allows flexibility for everything from small operations to larger commercial sites.
“It’s the same battery tech we use for residential, just scaled,” Dean noted. “It works with all our high-voltage hybrid inverters.”
The inverter’s 200% oversizing capability is also a game-changer. The 30 kW hybrid system at IGA is paired with 60 kW of solar, ideal for businesses with big daytime loads and intermittent grid demand.
Financial and environmental returns
IGA Morphett Vale now benefits from:
- Significantly reduced energy bills
- Improved resilience to grid price hikes
- Lower carbon footprint
- Faster ROI with battery technology
Dean shared that the store was “pleasantly surprised” by how well the system performed. The economics stacked up so convincingly, other tenants in the same building joined in to use shared roof space.
“They saw the results and thought, let’s go again.”
What if you don’t own the building?
A common concern from businesses is building ownership. What if you lease?
Dean addressed this directly:
“Have the conversation with your landlord. If the economics stack up, many landlords are open to it. It’s a win for them and for tenants.”
Solar and battery installations add long-term value to a property. For tenants, the savings can start immediately.
It’s not just about cutting bills
Sure, the numbers matter. But this installation is also part of IGA’s broader commitment to sustainability.
“Their commitment to net zero is genuine,” said Dean. “They’re proving that cutting emissions and cutting bills can go hand in hand.”
And with energy independence becoming more valuable by the day, this forward-thinking store is now ahead of the curve.
GoodWe: Leading the charge
GoodWe’s reputation in Australia continues to grow, not just for inverters, but for full energy solutions tailored to homes and businesses alike. With 8% of global revenue invested in R&D, the company is leading the charge in solar tech innovation.
And with the upcoming launch of even larger commercial storage systems, including a 50 kW hybrid inverter with 100 kWh storage, the pathway for businesses just keeps expanding.
Final thoughts
This isn’t just a one-off case. It’s a sign of where small to medium-sized businesses are heading.
Battery storage, once a fringe extra, is now a core part of the commercial energy mix. For IGA Morphett Vale, it’s delivered real savings, operational stability, and a roadmap to net zero.
As Dean summed it up:
“Do the research. Get a system that suits your profile. In nearly all cases, it works out beneficial.”
Ready to find out more? Watch Episode 7 of Energy Matters on 9Now.
