Powering Profits: How Solar + Battery Slashed This Café’s Costs by 60%

Running a small business in Australia isn’t easy. Between rent, wages, ingredients, and rising energy bills, café owners are often left with slim margins. But one Adelaide café has shown that it’s possible to take back control — not just from the coffee machine, but from the power grid too.

By switching to solar with battery storage, this local café cut their power bill by 60%. For them, it wasn’t just about saving dollars, but also about securing their future in a market where energy costs seem to only go one way — up.

So, what did they do differently, and how can other Aussie small businesses follow suit?

The Challenge: Soaring Energy Bills

Like many cafés in Adelaide, this business faced one of its biggest overheads: electricity. Between running fridges, coffee machines, ovens, lights, and air-conditioning, their energy bills were eating into their profits.

On average, small businesses in South Australia face some of the highest electricity prices in the world (according to Energy Consumers Australia). For café owners, this often means choosing between raising menu prices or absorbing costs. Neither option is good for business.

The café owner, tired of unpredictable bills and constant rate hikes, decided to look for a long-term solution.

The Solution: Solar + Battery Storage

After consulting with SA Energy, the café chose to install a rooftop solar system paired with a battery. This combination gave them two massive benefits:

1. Daytime savings with solar – Panels generated free electricity during peak hours

   
   

2. Stored energy at night – The battery stored excess solar power, which was then used in the evenings when the café was still operating.

   
   

This meant the café could rely far less on expensive grid electricity, especially during peak tariff periods.

The Results: 60% Off Their Power Bill

Within the first year, the café reported a whopping 60% reduction in their electricity costs.

Here’s what that looked like in real numbers:

• Average bill before solar + battery: $2,000 per quarter

• Average bill after installation: $800 per quarter

• Yearly savings: $4,800

  
  

For a small business, saving nearly five grand a year is no small win. That’s money they could reinvest into staff, new equipment, or simply keeping menu prices affordable for their loyal customers.

Beyond the Savings: Extra Benefits

While the savings were the headline, the café also enjoyed some extra perks:

• Energy independence – With a battery, they weren’t as vulnerable to blackouts or grid price spikes.

  
  

• Green credentials – Customers loved knowing their morning flat white was made using clean, renewable energy. Many said it made them feel good about supporting a café that cared about the environment.

  
  

• Future-proofing – Electricity prices are only expected to rise. By locking in solar power now, the café insulated itself from future cost shocks.

Why Small Businesses Should Consider Solar + Battery

This café’s success story is just one example of how solar and battery storage can transform small businesses across Adelaide and wider South Australia.

Here’s why more and more local businesses are making the switch:

• High daytime energy usage – Just like cafés, retail stores, restaurants, and offices use most of their power during the day, which is when solar is at its best.

  
  

• Government rebates – The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) provides incentives to lower the upfront cost of installing solar.

  
  

• Commercial tax benefits – Business owners can often claim tax deductions for renewable energy investments.

  
  

• Battery rebates – SA still has subsidies and loan schemes to support battery adoption (South Australian Home Battery Scheme).

  
  

When combined, these savings and incentives make solar more affordable than ever.

Consumer Perspective: Peace of Mind

The café owner summed it up best:

“I don’t stress about my energy bills anymore. I know I’m saving every month, and my customers love that we’re doing our bit for the planet.”

For many Aussie small business owners, it’s not just about the dollars saved but the peace of mind that comes with predictable, lower energy bills.

The Role of SA Energy

At SA Energy, we help South Australian businesses and households make the switch to renewable energy with tailored solar + battery solutions. Every business is different — from energy usage patterns to available roof space — so our team designs systems that maximise savings and efficiency.

Whether you’re a café owner, a retail shop, or running a commercial warehouse, we’ve got the experience to help you lower costs and boost your energy independence.

How to choose the right solar battery system in Australia?

To choose the right solar battery system in Australia, SA Energy recommends assessing your household's energy usage, budget, and future needs to select the battery capacity that best fits your lifestyle. Consulting with certified installers ensures you get an efficient, compliant system tailored for maximum savings and energy independence.

👉 Contact SA Energy today to learn how much your business could save.

For this small Adelaide café, investing in solar and battery storage was a game-changer. Cutting their power bill by 60% didn’t just help their bottom line — it also gave them energy security, eco-friendly bragging rights, and customer goodwill.

As electricity prices keep climbing, more Aussie small businesses will likely follow suit. The future is solar-powered, and cafés like this one are leading the way.

How to reduce electricity bills with solar in South Australia?

Installing solar panels with SA Energy can significantly reduce electricity bills in South Australia by generating your own power and maximizing solar rebates and feed-in tariffs

If you’re tired of watching your energy bills eat into your hard-earned profits, it might be time to ask yourself: what’s stopping me from going solar?

☎️ 1800 172 405

📱 +61 408 263 824

🌐 Visit: www.saenergysolarandbattery.au

📩 Email: info@saenergysolarandbattery.au.com