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High Voltage, Low Losses: Why going from AC to DC-coupled batteries rocks

Cut through the hype around DC coupled batteries in our latest blog from James Allston. Explore what makes DC coupling a powerful opportunity - and how to run AC vs DC comparisons in Orkestra to find the best solutions.

Cambridge-Australia alliance to accelerate commercial solar and battery deployment in UK

Featured by Business Weekly - Orkestra is partnering with Midsummer Energy to simplify complex commercial solar projects and drive faster clean-energy deployment across the UK.

Solar VIC's Game-Changer Discount for C&I Businesses

The Victorian Energy Upgrades Commercial Solar Discount introduces a new level of financial support for C&I solar systems. By offering significant upfront savings, it strengthens project economics and helps businesses overcome the capital barriers to going solar.

Amidst the hype, we’ve forgotten a key piece of the energy transition puzzle

The commercial and industrial sector uses 61% of global electricity- yet it’s missing from the energy transition spotlight. With rooftops, daytime demand, and strong economics, C&I is the true sweet spot for solar and batteries. We’ve launched the first C&I Solar Industry Census with SunWiz to capture what’s really happening. Add your voice - Your input will help uncover real-world trends, challenges, and opportunities in this forgotten corner of the market.

At What Price Do Commercial Batteries Make Sense?

Commercial batteries don’t work like solar. Solar is passive and predictable, but batteries only pay back when you give them the right jobs to do. Instead of waiting for prices to fall, the key is smart control, smarter tariffs, and stacking multiple value streams. The question isn’t “what price makes batteries work?” - it’s “how do we make them work every day?”

P415 Baselining and Deviation Volumes: Part 2

Part 2 of our P415 series for the UK dives into some of the more technical concepts underlining P415 regulations - baselining and deviation volumes. Explore these concepts, Orkestra's baselining approach, and how to simplify this complexity using Orkestra to create accurate feasibility reporting for your commercial battery projects.

P415 and Batteries: Part 1

Since November 2024, P415 has been the buzzword exciting UK commercial battery developers. But what does this new market rule actually mean, and does it deliver the revenue boost everyone's talking about?

Why Commercial Battery Projects Need a New Approach in Europe

Orkestra Co-CEO James Allston recently appeared on the Soliverse podcast to discuss why commercial battery projects in Europe require a fundamentally different approach than traditional solar installations. The conversation revealed key insights about building profitable battery value stacks, the importance of feasibility-first selling, and how tariff optimisation can unlock superior project economics.

PV europe: How dynamic tariffs could wake the sleeping giant of C&I storage

Expert analysis: C&I solar and storage could speed up Europe’s energy transition, but only if its full value is recognised. James Allston, co-founder of Orkestra Energy, points to dynamic electricity tariffs as a key enabler.

Community Batteries in the UK Webinar Panel

Orkestra Co-CEO James Allston participated in a panel discussion for VEST Energy on community battery opportunities in the UK, advocating for simplified BTM approaches and better tariff design to overcome complexity barriers.

A Silicon Valley for Energy

How homegrown innovation is solving the world's grid challenges – and where Orkestra fits in. Read Ben Potter's article for Inside Story, featuring Orkestra.

Labor Battery Rebate for Commercial Solar

Australia's Labor government has announced a $2.3 billion Home Battery Rebate program launching July 1, 2025. This comprehensive guide explains how solar installers and energy consultants can model Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for commercial battery projects and capitalise on this significant market opportunity.

Operate: The Future of Solar Asset Management

Transform your commercial solar business with Orkestra Operate - the comprehensive asset management platform that turns installations into recurring revenue. Client portals, performance tracking, PPA automation & more.

PV magazine: Commercial Battery Opportunities in the UK Playbook

Europe needs battery energy storage and the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector is poised to play a key role. Read our recent editorial for PV Magazine on the C&I battery opportunity in the UK.

AI Assisted Solar and Battery Modelling in Orkestra

At Orkestra, we’ve always believed in putting the right tools in the hands of our customers, enabling them to work smarter, faster, and more confidently. And now, with the latest advances in AI, we’re entering a new chapter, what we’re calling the AI-Assisted Era of Energy Analysis.

Selling Commercial Solar in the UK: Part 2

Accurate feasibility and tariff modelling is critical for unlocking the full value of commercial solar and battery systems in the UK. Simplified models miss key revenue opportunities and risk misleading results. Orkestra makes detailed, utility-grade modelling easy and scalable, helping installers optimise tariffs, improve financial outcomes, and build trust in a competitive market.

Selling Commercial Solar in the UK: Part 1

Too many commercial solar UK projects rely on basic feasibility modelling, missing out on real value. Without detailed battery modelling and tariff analysis, installers risk underestimating savings and revenue. Smart modelling can double project income, enable financing, and build trust - giving installers a real edge in a growing market. Read Part 1 of Selling Commercial Solar in the UK.

Commercial Battery Opportunities in the UK Presentation

Watch Orkestra Co-CEO and Head of Growth in the UK, James Allston, presentation from Solar & Storage Live London 2025. This session explores the critical steps for identifying and accurately capturing battery value for commercial solar projects, based on key findings from our recent white paper exploring solar and battery opportunities in the UK.

Unlocking New Revenue Streams with FCAS

What is 'frequency control' and the FCAS market, how can you participate, and most importantly, should you participate? Is it worth it? Let’s dive in!

Möglichkeiten für kommerzielle Batterien in Großbritannien: Ein strategisches Playbook

Wie modellieren Sie derzeit die Machbarkeit von Solar- und Batterieprojekten? Stellen Sie fest, dass sich der Wert Ihrer Batterie erhöht? In unserem neuesten Blog geht James Allston, Wachstumschef von Orkestra im Vereinigten Königreich, auf die bisher ungenutzten Chancen für den kommerziellen Solarsektor im Vereinigten Königreich ein. Finden Sie heraus, wie Sie komplexe Machbarkeitsanalysen in Orkestra vereinfachen können, um den wahren potenziellen Wert Ihrer kommerziellen Solarprojekte zu erfassen.

Orkestra Referral Program

We've run the numbers and it's confirmed: Orkestra users love Orkestra - and you've been spreading the word! So to make sure we're giving back, we've launched a new Referral Program.

Australian energy software start-up lands ARENA grant for EV charger rollout

Australian clean energy software provider Orkestra says it has secured $2.77 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to advance the deployment of commercial electric vehicle (EV) chargers across Australia.

ARENA powers up clean tech startup Orkestra with $2.77 million for EV charger plans

Federal government-backed Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has awarded software startup Orkestra $2.77 million in co-funding to help fast-track the rollout of commercial electric vehicle chargers.

ARENA funds Orkestra $2.77M to Accelerate Commercial EV Charger Deployment

Orkestra is pleased to announce $2.77 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to advance the deployment of commercial electric vehicle (EV) chargers across Australia. 

Passed: The Most Impactful Legislation on Climate in a Decade (that no one has even heard of)

The Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2024:What you need to know, how businesses must prepare and how the commercial solar and battery industry can benefit.

Leveraging VPP Value for Commercial Batteries

Curious about how Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) can unlock new revenue for your commercial solar and battery systems? Watch our latest webinar with special guests VPP Partners and Cornwall Insight.

Successfully Selling Commercial Solar and Batteries

Access our free online course exploring selling commercial solar and batteries.

Exploring Energy Business Models

Join us for our webinar series 'Exploring Energy Business Models in Orkestra' looking at practical examples in the Business Model Builder.

How to Unlock and Rapidly Scale the C&I Solar and Battery Market

Watch James Allston's presentation from All Energy 2023 on why solar and energy companies need to unlock the C&I market, utilising Orkestra as a critical enabler.

Orkestra, the driving force behind clean energy decision-making

Orkestra has secured Seed funding from lead investor Tidal Ventures to revolutionise the energy industry with their game-changing platform that enables critical decision-making throughout the lifecycle of renewable energy projects.

Orkestra Selected for Climate Salad Global Growth Program

Orkestra are pleased to announce we have been selected to take part in the first ever Climate Salad Global Growth Program.

Orkestra selected for Energy Lab Climate Solutions Accelerator 2023

Orkestra are pleased to announce our selection for Energy Lab's 2023 Climate Solutions Accelerator program.

Feasibility first value selling - a turbocharger for solar and battery installer productivity and growth

Explore the concept of Feasibility First Value Selling utilising Orkestra to help you tap into the C&I solar segment.

Orkestra - Solving industry scalability to achieve global net zero by 2050

ARENA Community Battery program: How to use Orkestra to prepare funding applications.

Explore how Orkestra can assist you prepare and optimise your grant funding application for ARENA's $120 million community battery program.

James Allston's all electric home

Our very own James Allston was asked by Nat from Nats What I Reckon and The New Joneses to go through his all electric home and discuss renewable energy.

Has Covid-19 crippled big-battery and virtual power plant economics

We explore how COVID-19 has affected wholesale market arbitrage opportunities across the NEM.

Webinar | Commercial Energy Storage Opportunities with Supply Partners

James Allston joins Supply Partners for a webinar exploring batteries and commercial energy storage opportunities.

Is this the world's most advanced business model design tool for energy projects?

Business model builder is an exciting feature that will blow the doors off...

C&I Battery Developer’s guide to the 2022 NEM

The electricity market in the calendar year 2022 was one for the history books - but what does it mean for batteries, now and going forward?

Community batteries: feel good solution or financial folly?

Orkestra was asked by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance (CVGA) to assess the viability of community batteries connected to the local distribution network. Chris Cooper explains what we found.

5 reasons for caution on community batteries

Explore the results from our comprehensive study into community batteries on behalf of the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance (CVGA).

Start-up gets $1.1m energy boost

Orkestra are pleased to announce our pre-seed funding raise of $1.1m from investors Tidal Ventures.

What is the right price for a C&I battery in 2020?

Battery costs have been coming down dramatically in recent years with many people waiting for the “right price”.. but what does that mean?

Memo to solar installers: get diversifying - the Australian solar market is predicted to contract

If you plan to grow a solar business in Australia, you must have a solution for batteries, EVs and other new energy technology. Why? Because it is going to start contracting.

5 reasons why C&I virtual power plants will ultimately do better than residential ones

The top 5 reasons why we think that C&I VPPs will ultimately outperform residential VPPs by being bigger and more valuable.

The 'ISP 2020' - Top 5 highlights for batteries and VPPs

Our top 5 takeaways from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) Integrated System Plan (ISP) for 2020.

Building all electric homes – and why ditching gas isn’t as easy as it should be

Deep dive with James Allston into the regulations that are currently holding back the transition from gas to all electric houses in Victoria.

C&I batteries | Don't make these 3 common mistakes

We've outlined the 3 most common mistakes we see people make when it comes to choosing C&I batteries. Read this so you don't have to make them!