How a Small Café Slashed Energy Costs and Embraced Solar Power— Without Installing a Single Panel.
CASE STUDY
” We’re all about local, sustainable, and regenerative. The VEN just makes sense—it lets us power our business with solar, even without panels.”
That’s Sam from Kah-feh Café; his business is famous for high quality Brazilian coffees served with fluffy scones in the
Southern Highlands of NSW. Sam sources his power through the Virtual Energy Network (VEN) to supply his Café. For this community-focused business, sustainability is more than a buzzword—it’s part of the brand. That’s why Sam became an early off-taker in the VEN, accessing locally generated renewable power from solar producers in the network.
They may not have solar panels themselves, but thanks to the VEN, Sam and his team can still reduce energy costs and support clean energy—all while staying true to their values.
*This case study is based on a real business. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.
Why Sam Joined the VEN
Sam first heard about the VEN through local sustainability networks. The idea was immediately appealing: a way to reduce electricity bills and lower emissions, while building stronger local connections.
“We’ve always been passionate about sustainability. The VEN gave us a way to access solar power without needing panels—just a smart meter and a commitment to local energy.”
Setting Up Was Simple
All the energy supply for the Café operations was formerly 100% sourced from one energy retailer. Today Kah-feh gets their power from six different sites across New South Wales and South Australia.
“Really easy to set up! All I did was literally log on, sign up (took all of 3-5 minutes) and everything else was done for me. Trades are now handled by our café manager.”
How the VEN Works for Sam and Kah-feh café
- Smarter Sourcing: Kah-feh buys electricity from nearby solar producers like Chris (see Generator Case Study) through the VEN. It’s clean, renewable, and more competitively priced than standard grid power.
- Transparent Tracking: Using Enosi’s Powertracer platform, Sam and his staff can see exactly where their energy is coming from and who they’re supporting.
- Easy Setup: “It was seamless. Once we had a smart meter installed, we were ready to go.”
Saving Money, Cutting Emissions
While exact savings vary due to changing energy prices, Sam is confident:
“I’m buying energy at less than retail. Plus, my daily supply charge is lower than what I paid with my former retailer.”
The result? Lower bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
VEN in Motion: How Sam Taps into Shared Solar
Buying excess solar through the VEN aligns perfectly with Kah-fe’s commitment to community and environment.
“We love that the energy we use comes from people in our region. It’s not just about savings—it’s about creating a resilient energy ecosystem.”
- Energy retailer 50%
- Wingecarribee LGA 37%
- Sydney and South Australia 13%
Between April and September 2024, the Café received approximately 16 MWh of clean energy through the Virtual Energy Network—at just 26 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Compared to their previous retailer rate of 41 cents, that’s a saving of around $2,000 in just six months—all while supporting local solar producers.
The Challenges — and the Opportunities
Some businesses hesitate to try new energy models or switch retailers. But Sam believes those challenges can be overcome with the right support.
“As I see it, I can access the sun and its benefits, even without solar panels. We need better education and easier onboarding. If more small businesses understood how simple and beneficial this is, they’d jump in.”
What’s Next?
Sam hopes to inspire more local businesses to join the network and eventually integrate VEN-powered business operations like refrigeration into their operations.
“It’s an opportunity to rethink how we power our lives and our businesses—together.”
Sam’s Message to Others – No Solar? No Problem!
Whether you’re a Café, retailer, or farm—if you’ve got a smart meter and a passion for local sustainability, the VEN makes it easy to:
- Access solar energy at competitive rates
- Support local producers
- Cut emissions and contribute to a smarter grid
“You don’t need solar panels to be part of the clean energy revolution. If you’re a small business that cares about cost, community, and climate—this is for you.”
Ready to Explore Solar without Panels?
The VEN is already transforming how communities connect, trade, and power their lives — and the research is just beginning for all.
Register your interest today by visiting the Deakin VEN research site and submitting a short expression of interest form.
Once you’ve submitted your details, a member of our project team will be in touch to share more information and the next steps.
