City of Yarra leads the way in community centred clean energy, powered by SwitchDin
The City of Yarra has taken another confident step toward a cleaner and more resilient energy future, with the launch of its energy optimisation initiative across four much loved public sites. Announced by the Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio, the initiative is already demonstrating what is possible when local government, communities and technology partners work together to unlock genuine renewable energy value.
A significant enabler of this progress has been this year’s Victorian Government 100 Neighbourhood Batteries program grant of $398,000. The funding supported the installation of 160kW of solar and 360kWh of Behind-the-meter (BTM) batteries as part of the council’s Community Charge program.
The Neighbourhood Batteries program aims to fast-track community energy resilience across the state. This grant is not only financial support but also a signal of Victoria’s commitment to local energy systems that empower residents, reduce pressure on networks and expand access to clean electricity. For the City of Yarra, it has unlocked a model with the potential to inspire councils across Australia.
Community Charge: A new blueprint for local renewable energy
Mayor Stephen Jolly said the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) grant was a welcome boost to the council’s commitment to a full clean energy transition. Community Charge was conceived as a proof that existing community buildings can rapidly scale solar generation, deliver meaningful savings and return value to local residents.
The City of Yarra has already installed thousands of solar panels across 48 of its council buildings, totalling 1117.4kW, with 507.3kWh of behind the meter batteries across 11 sites. The new installations continue this momentum, transforming community assets into local power stations that generate renewable electricity for nearby homes and businesses.
The council also wanted to show that expensive front-of-the-meter (FTM) battery infrastructure is not the only pathway to community energy resilience. By using commercial and industrial rooftops already available across its municipality, the City of Yarra is demonstrating a more accessible, scalable and replicable model for councils with limited space or constrained residential solar potential.
SwitchDin proudly supporting Yarra’s clean energy mission
SwitchDin has been a proud partner in the Community Charge project, providing the optimisation intelligence that unlocks the full value of Yarra’s solar and battery investments.
The batteries collect and store clean energy from the rooftop solar systems on each site and release it back to the community during periods of high demand. This reduces reliance on fossil fuel generation, increases access to renewable electricity and directly supports Yarra’s goal of a full shift to one hundred percent renewable energy.
Mayor Jolly acknowledged the role of SwitchDin’s technology in enabling these outcomes, noting that the partnership has delivered a streamlined and cost effective operational model with benefits that extend well beyond council boundaries.
Our optimisation system not only maximises financial returns but also reduces the payback period for battery installations by 23%. SwitchDin’s edge control technology maintains stable and secure operation even if network connectivity is interrupted, ensuring continuous energy delivery for the community. - Mario Vecchio, CEO SwitchDin
How optimisation accelerates local energy value
SwitchDin’s software continuously analyses real time data, considering tariff structures, battery charge and discharge efficiency, site energy use and price signals from the Australian Energy Market Operator.
The platform, supported by SwitchDin’s Droplet edge controllers, makes autonomous decisions on site about when to charge and when to discharge batteries. During periods of surplus solar generation, energy is stored. During peak prices, stored energy is released to secure maximum return.
This ensures that each site not only uses renewable energy effectively but also generates revenue that can be reinvested into community grants and local priorities. SwitchDin’s technology creates an enduring value stream that supports Yarra’s long term resilience goals.
From left: Vilfred Correa, Project Manager Buildings, City of Yarra; Aksh Mehrishi EQ Renewable (the installer/EPC); and Arnaud Lam, Solution Architect SwitchDin at the installation of Alphington Park Pavilion’s SwitchDin’s optimisation edge controller.
Real results for real community sites
Between November and December 2025, four City of Yarra community buildings began operating with SwitchDin optimisation:
Alphington Park Pavilion 28kW and 86.4kWh
Fairfield Park Pavilion 42kW and 86.4kWh
Fairlea Reserve Netball Complex 64.5kW and 129.6kWh
Mark Street Hall 28kW and 86.4kWh
The financial impact is already clear. For example, Alphington Park Pavilion would have paid full energy costs without solar or storage. With solar and batteries, costs fall by about 70%. With SwitchDin optimisation activated, the remaining cost drops by a further 68%, resulting in an overall 91% cost reduction compared to the original baseline.
A model for councils everywhere
The success of the City of Yarra’s project adds to SwitchDin’s track record across Australia and internationally, delivering value in commercial and industrial environments and community battery initiatives. In every instance, SwitchDin ensures operational stability, compatibility with varied equipment and readiness for future market changes.
The City of Yarra’s Community Charge program stands as a practical proof of what is possible when technology and local leadership align. It shows that clean, reliable and community driven energy is not only achievable but already underway.
SwitchDin is proud to be part of this journey and looks forward to supporting many more councils seeking to provide their communities with resilient, affordable and renewable energy.
