When it comes to energy, small businesses wear the biggest boots on the frontline. Whether you’re running a cafe, a workshop, or in this case, a plant nursery, reliable power is non-negotiable. A single blackout can wipe out thousands in lost stock or downtime. Enter FranklinWH’s battery storage system: a quiet achiever now quietly powering a blackout-prone Victorian nursery.
Powering through storms and surges
In Episode 2 of Energy Matters, we visit Bernie, a small business owner operating a nursery from his rural home. With temperature-sensitive plants in hot houses and no room for power failure, Bernie needed more than just solar panels. He needed uninterrupted power.
The solution? A FranklinWH battery system that not only stores excess solar power but can also work seamlessly with a generator. This hybrid setup means that if the grid fails and the sun hides, the nursery still hums along like nothing’s happened.
As Andrew “Mitch” Mitchell, FranklinWH’s Senior Product Manager, put it in Episode 59 of the Road to ZERO podcast:
“It’s not just about saving money anymore… it’s about energy security, lifestyle, and having the power to choose where your energy comes from.”
Batteries built for business
FranklinWH’s battery tech is flexible, scalable, and refreshingly straightforward. Each aPower unit offers 13.6kWh of storage and a solid 5kW continuous power output, with 10kW surge capacity for whole-home or whole-business backup.
The magic lies in the A Gate: Franklin’s home energy manager. It syncs up all energy sources, solar, grid, and generator, and makes sure power flows where it’s needed. For businesses like Bernie’s, this means being able to:
- Back up all essential systems during outages
- Reduce electricity bills by using stored energy during peak times
- Easily add more battery units as the business grows
- Integrate with existing solar (no need to rip and replace)
And thanks to its open architecture, the system plays nicely with most panels, inverters, and even generators on the market.
Thinking long-term? The return is real
Battery prices have fallen, and return-on-investment is no longer wishful thinking. Add in energy savings, blackout resilience, and federal rebates, and suddenly, batteries look like a very smart business decision.
The new Federal Battery Rebate through the Cheaper Batteries for Homes Program reduces the upfront cost by up to 30%. Combine that with many state-level incentives, and you’ve got a real chance to go solar-plus-storage for less.
A complete energy solution, not just a backup
What sets FranklinWH apart is its all-in-one approach. It doesn’t just store energy, it manages it. That’s a game-changer for small businesses looking to take charge of their power bills and future-proof their operations.
In Mitch’s words:
“It gives people freedom. Whether it’s for blackout protection, bill reduction, or even going off-grid… the choice is yours.”
Peace of mind
FranklinWH batteries offer more than just peace of mind. They deliver real energy freedom, which is fast becoming a necessity for Aussie small businesses battling unreliable grids and rising energy costs.
Energy Matters encourages all small business owners to explore the products and services available to reduce operational costs and improve sustainability. As energy prices increase and operational costs soar, finding ways to tackle the mounting bills is paramount.
Want to see the tech in action? Catch Episode 2 of Energy Matters on 9Now.
