By Lloyd Heinrich, CEO & Founder, MetroElectro · May 2026
It’s the question we get asked more than any other “if solar is so good for business, why isn’t every commercial and industrial building in Melbourne already running on it?”
The answer, almost every time, is the same: upfront cost.
A large rooftop solar system can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most businesses don’t want to tie up that capital and most landlords won’t spend it on a tenant’s energy bill.
So how does MetroElectro make commercial solar zero upfront?
The answer is a Power Purchase Agreement, a PPA.
What can commercial and industrial rooftops in Melbourne actually generate?
The Coalition’s modelling suggests urban rooftop solar could supply up to 25% of Victoria’s total energy demand. That’s not a fringe estimate, it reflects serious analysis from the Victorian Energy Policy Centre. As coal generators close and electricity demand rises, generating power locally from existing rooftops is increasingly the fastest, lowest-conflict path to reliable, affordable energy.
What is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)?
Think of it like this… you don’t own the roads you drive on but you still get to use them. A PPA works the same way with solar. MetroElectro owns the solar panels and battery system on your roof. We pay for everything, install everything and manage everything. You simply buy the electricity those panels produce, at a rate lower than what you’d pay the grid.
No panels to buy. No system to maintain. No capital tied up. Just cheaper power, from day one.
What does a PPA mean for commercial and industrial businesses in Melbourne?
For tenants and business operators, a PPA means you can access rooftop solar even if you don’t own the building and even if you have years left on a lease. Your energy bill goes down. Your carbon footprint goes down. And you haven’t spent a cent to make it happen.
For landlords and property owners, a PPA means your building gets a meaningful upgrade, solar and battery storage without you funding it. Your tenant stays longer because their costs are lower and your property’s ESG credentials improve in the process.
Is a PPA right for my business?
A PPA works best for commercial and industrial buildings in Melbourne with a decent-sized roof, a reasonable energy bill and at least a few years left on a lease or ownership horizon. Warehouses, factories, logistics centres and large retail sites are ideal candidates.
If that sounds like your building, the conversation with MetroElectro takes about 20 minutes. We’ll tell you quickly whether your site is a good fit and if it is, we take it from there. Get in touch and let’s find out your savings today →
To recap how we can help you save today…
- MetroElectro funds & installs: We own the solar and battery system on your roof
- You buy the power: At a rate below your current grid price
- We handle everything: All maintenance, monitoring and performance
- Savings from day one: Zero capital spent