Solar energy generated approximately 10% of Australia’s electricity in 2020-21. Over 30% of households have rooftop solar, with a combined capacity exceeding 11 GW. Large scale solar farms are on the rise, with 7 GW of generation connected to Australia’s electricity grid.
But – for those who don’t have access to rooftop solar or large-scale projects with complex investments, community scale projects enable them to make a difference.
The Grong Grong Solar Farm has been developed by Komo Energy, a group that partners with communities, landholders and businesses who want to invest in, develop and benefit from renewable energy. Komo Energy’s directors, Jonathan Prendergast and Gerald Arends, have long-standing experience in renewable energy and project development.
The idea was born during a coffee between Jonathan and long-time friend, farmer Gemma Meier, in 2016: what if people power could be leveraged to accelerate solar and storage capacity? The more they talked about it, the more excited they felt, and the pair put the idea into action.
The 1.5MW solar farm is located just 4 kilometres from the village of Grong Grong in NSW. With a small footprint of 5 ha, a capacity to power up to 700 households, and reduce NSW emissions by 3,100 tonnes annually, the Grong Grong Solar Farm combines scale, location and return for people who want their investment to reflect their values.
The Grong Grong Solar Farm is 93% owned by Seed and Crowd Equity investors. These investors helped fund the beginning of construction, which is currently underway. Now, we are once again providing the Australian community with the opportunity to become a shareholder in a clean energy asset and help fund the remainder of construction costs.
The Grong Grong Solar Farm enables individuals to become equity owners, enjoying the benefits of selling renewable power into the NSW grid. Generation is currently expected to commence in January 2024.
We envision a future where solar farms are as common as farm sheds, and renewable energy is everyone’s opportunity.
Care more about the figures? Check out some key stats on the Grong Grong Solar Farm below:
The Grong Grong Solar Farm wouldn’t be possible without all the community support it has had to date. From Grong Grong locals, to solar energy specialists to early investors – they all play a critical role!
Want in? Become a Grong Grong Solar Farm Ambassador!
This is someone who will shout our news from the rooftops and encourage their friends, family, colleagues, pets, baristas and anyone else in their orbit to get involved.
Ultimately, you’ll be playing a pivotal role in funding Australia’s first crowd equity funded solar farm, and leading the way in the adoption of community scale solar.
In return, we will profile you (only if you want us to of course) on our social media channels, at our events and in our newsletters. We’ll be shouting from the rooftops about how stoked we are to have you as an ambassador!
We’ll also be throwing in a little bit of *useful* merch, which really – if we’re honest with each other – nobody can really say ‘no’ to.
We are ground-breaking.
We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovative sustainable energy practices and contribution to community ownership of solar energy.
We are relatable.
We don’t overcomplicate things – our mission is to be simple and accessible.
We are transparent.
We are fair in what we say, realistic in what we promise, and provide as much information as possible.
We are genuine.
We believe in a future where solar farms are as common as farm sheds, and renewable energy is everyone’s opportunity. We know this project alone won’t change the world, but we also know that it’s an important step towards a net-zero carbon future.
We are empowering.
We steer clear of the fear-based approach to climate mitigation. We believe in positivity, the power of people, and our ability to achieve together when it comes to sustainable energy.
Jonathan is a director of Grong Grong Solar Farm Pty Ltd and Komo Energy’s Head of Energy Markts. He is a project manager, engineer and procurement specialist recognised for his work at the forefront of renewable energy procurement strategies and business models.
With over twelve years’ experience in clean energy, Jonathan has extensive commercial and technical knowledge, having managed and advised on projects from feasibility through to implementation.
Jonathan consults to universities, renewable energy project developers, councils and property developers across Australia. His deep understanding of energy markets, contracts and procurement enables him to unlock new business models to deliver projects.
Jonathan has achieved several Australian first innovative energy projects, including the development of Australia’s first District Heating system, District Cooling Customer agreement and offsite solar PPA.
He is one of two Komo Energy Directors, a group that partners with communities, landholders and businesses who want to invest in, develop and benefit from renewable energy. Jonathan sees significant opportunity for more innovation in community scale projects, including innovative financing, PPAs and Micrgrids.
Jonathan is passionate about community, sports and the outdoors. Jonathan cofounded a local community energy group in the Sutherland Shire Sydney, Sunny Shire, which supports Shire families in the adoption of solar, storage, home energy efficiency and electric vehicles. Recently, Sunny Shire’s solar bulk buy enabled 200 shire families to get rooftop solar from local suppliers.
Jonathan also enjoys playing soccer, skiing and getting his young kids outdoors and enjoying nature.
Gerald is a director of Grong Grong Solar Farm Pty Ltd and Komo Energy’s Head of Project Services. He is a leading renewable energy lawyer, project developer and commercial advisor. For the past fourteen years he has worked almost exclusively in the solar industry in a variety of legal and commercial roles.
Gerald is passionate about pioneering projects in countries and in sectors where renewable energy is not yet firmly established. He has worked in renewables in over 30 countries, including all over Europe, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Japan. In the Philippines, he advised on the 132 MW Cadiz Solar Project, the largest of its kind in South-East Asia.
In Australia, advisory successes include the 20 MW Hughenden project in Queensland, the 112 MW Karadoc and the 106 MW Yatpool projects in Victoria, as well as the world leading Degrussa solar/battery integration project and the Agnew hybrid project.
Gerald is one of two directors at Komo Energy, a group that partners with communities, landholders and businesses who want to invest in, develop and benefit from renewable energy. In addition, he is a director of Pegasus Legal, advising on renewable energy projects.
Gerald is also a conference speaker, panellist and post-graduate teacher on topics relating to renewable energy.
While Gerald has significant experience working on large scale projects, he is passionate about building a better renewable industry and energy system with community scale energy.
When not working on renewables, Gerald spends time with his young kids teaching them the environmental benefits of cycling. He enjoys reading widely across current affairs, history, philosophy, politics and linguistics. Gerald has played the violin for most of his life and is both President and an active member of the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra.
Jonathan is a director of the Grong Grong Solar Farm Pty Ltd. He is a project manager, engineer and procurement specialist recognised for his work at the forefront of renewable energy procurement strategies and business models.
With over twelve years’ experience in clean energy, Jonathan has extensive commercial and technical knowledge, having managed and advised on projects from feasibility through to implementation.
Jonathan consults to universities, renewable energy project developers, councils and property developers across Australia. His deep understanding of energy markets, contracts and procurement enables him to unlock new business models to deliver projects. Jonathan has achieved several Australian first innovative energy projects, including the development of Australia’s first District Heating system, District Cooling Customer agreement and offsite solar PPA.
He is one of two Komo Energy Directors, a group that partners with communities, landholders and businesses who want to invest in, develop and benefit from renewable energy. Jonathan sees significant opportunity for more innovation in community scale projects, including innovative financing, PPAs and Micrgrids.
Jonathan is passionate about community, sports and the outdoors. Jonathan cofounded a local community energy group in the Sutherland Shire Sydney, Sunny Shire, which supports Shire families in the adoption of solar, storage, home energy efficiency and electric vehicles. Recently, Sunny Shire’s solar bulk buy enabled 200 shire families to get rooftop solar from local suppliers.
Jonathan also enjoys playing soccer, skiing and getting his young kids outdoors and enjoying nature.
Gerald is a director of the Grong Grong Solar Farm Pty Ltd and manages the development and procurement for the project. He is a leading renewable energy lawyer and commercial advisor, and for the past fourteen years has worked almost exclusively in the solar industry in a variety of legal and commercial roles.
Gerald is passionate about pioneering projects in countries and in sectors where renewable energy is not yet firmly established. He has worked in renewables in over 30 countries, including all over Europe, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Japan. In the Philippines, he advised on the 132 MW Cadiz Solar Project, the largest of its kind in South-East Asia.
In Australia, advisory successes include the 20 MW Hughenden project in Queensland, the 112 MW Karadoc and the 106 MW Yatpool projects in Victoria, as well as the world leading Degrussa solar/battery integration project and the Agnew hybrid project.
Gerald is one of two directors at Komo Energy, a group that partners with communities, landholders and businesses who want to invest in, develop and benefit from renewable energy. In addition, he is a director of Pegasus Legal, advising on renewable energy projects.
Gerald is also a conference speaker, panellist and post-graduate teacher on topics relating to renewable energy.
While Gerald has significant experience working on large scale projects, he is passionate about building a better renewable industry and energy system with community scale energy.
When not working on renewables, Gerald spends time with his young kids teaching them the environmental benefits of cycling. He enjoys reading widely across current affairs, history, philosophy, politics and linguistics. Gerald has played the violin for most of his life and is both President and an active member of the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra.
