Queensland has a big new rooftop solar retailer on the block, with the launch this week of RACQ Solar, following the motoring and insurance club’s purchase of a majority share in Gem Energy earlier this year.
In a move that mirrors that by RACV, which in 2019 bought up Gippsland Solar to form RACV Solar in Victoria, RACQ says the new entity builds on its commitment to help Queenslanders live “more securely and sustainably.”
“Earlier this year we acquired a majority stake in the highly awarded solar company Gem Energy and we are excited to be working with its experienced team to expand our footprint in the retail market as RACQ Solar,” said RACQ CEO David Carter.
“This is a significant milestone in RACQ’s strategy to provide members with renewable energy solutions to meet their changing home and mobility needs.
“Queenslanders are becoming more conscious of their carbon footprint and they’re also battling cost-of-living pressures.
“RACQ Solar provides a reliable service that will help homeowners combat increasing electricity prices while also supporting their clean energy transition,” Carter said.
RACQ announced in February that it had taken a stake in Gem Energy, at the same time offering a new rooftop PV and home battery offering to the club’s 1.8 million members.
RACQ, which in its 100-plus years of existence has grown from offering motoring services to insurance and banking, said it had made the acquisition having successfully collaborated with Gem Energy on solar installs for members over the previous two years.
Gem Energy provides strong platform from which to launch RACQ Solar, having established itself over the past decade as a leading player in the Queensland market, in particular making a name for itself as a leading designer and installer of commercial systems, including at Australia Zoo (pictured above) and Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“For almost a decade we have been leading the way in renewable energy solutions, from quality home solar systems to large commercial installations, earning us the recognition as one of Australia’s most awarded solar energy companies,” said Gem Energy founder Jack Hooper, who will take the helm as CEO of RACQ Solar.
“Our team of engineers, project managers, consultants and quality assurance officers are dedicated to delivering end-to-end value to Queenslanders under the RACQ Solar brand.”
RACQ Solar will start out servicing residential customers across greater Brisbane, Toowoomba, Cairns, Rockhampton, Townsville, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast while being available nationally for commercial installations.
Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.
