Aussie climate tech platform Acacia is launching a first-in-market solar solution that allows users to get personalised quotes for solar installation and connect with high-quality installers.
Complete with personalised pricing, energy savings, and a view on the carbon impact of moving to solar, the platform simplifies the moving process and cuts out the risk of unwanted phone calls from solar consultants. The feature is set to launch on February 1.
Acacia’s current platform uses smart algorithms to automatically identify and connect consumers with better performing savings, home loans, superannuation and energy options based on both financial and environmental factors.
Related article: App integrates data to spotlight greenwashing
The new solar feature works alongside Acacia’s energy offering, which utlises data from the Greenpeace’s Green Energy Guide to help users identify cheaper, greener energy options. Acacia has integrated data and research behind Greenpeace’s Green Energy Guide, allowing users to easily compare their current energy plan against an open menu of electricity providers.
Seventy-six per cent of Australia’s electricity still comes from the burning of fossil fuels and Australia has the highest greenhouse gas emissions from coal power in the world on a per capita basis. Now the climate tech is making it easier to get independent solar information, reducing the friction in getting quotes and keeping consumers in control of the end to end process.
Acacia founder and CEO Anil Sagaram said the solar feature reflects the need for a comprehensive, independent offer to customers to facilitate the transition to netzero.
“Australian’s have a clear desire to embrace solar technology to reduce both their energy costs and greenhouse emissions, but finding the right solar solution can be a complicated task and the buyer experience is often poor. Acacia’s platform has been built on the concept of putting power and information around your finances and carbon impact back into the hand of the consumer.
“We are putting the decision and control in the hands of consumers. The previous process was heavily sales driven with far too much friction. One of the biggest challenges in getting solar is having to dodge calls from multiple sales people , and not knowing who to trust. Australian’s want to embrace solar and now with Acacia they have a digital experience that allows them to take the first step without the pressure of dealing with the worst parts of the process,” he said.
Through the Acacia app, users can upload their energy bill to receive a personalised digital quote in less than three minutes, understand the estimated savings, and even view a solar panel layout on their roof.
The consumer stays in control. When they’re ready to begin talking to an installer, they can use the Acacia app to connect with a curated list of high quality installers in your area.
Related article: Extracting silicon from solar panels to build better batteries
A third of Australians have had a bad experience with solar installation, so this solution has been created to avoid the solar ‘hard sell’ and put the customer in control of the process and information flow. Unlike most offers in the market, Acacias platform is independent and not associated with solar product product providers.
According to Solar Quotes in 2022, 20% of Australians with solar panels believe they had sub-standard installations, so the installers on Acacia have been carefully selected based on their service track record and a range of other factors to ensure the customers are working with trusted providers utlising high-quality panels and batteries from trusted brands.
Acacia’s app is available for download now for iOS and Android and the solar feature is launching in app on February 1 in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. More states will be opening soon.
