At Indigo Power, we are dedicated to delivering projects that benefit our communities. Our recent collaboration with Patagonia is a perfect example of this commitment.
This project is more than just a technical achievement—it’s a powerful demonstration of how businesses and communities can work together to address climate change and foster sustainable development.
In 2022, Indigo Power collaborated with global outdoor apparel company Patagonia to deliver a 98kW solar PV system at the newly opened Cricket Albury Wodonga indoor stadium in West Wodonga.
Patagonia, renowned for its environmental activism, partnered with Indigo Power with a clear goal: to generate enough renewable energy to offset Patagonia Australia’s annual energy consumption.
The solar PV system at Cricket Albury Wodonga not only provides clean energy to the stadium but also supports Patagonia stores and offices across Australia through a power purchase agreement facilitated by Indigo Power’s innovative energy-sharing software.
This partnership is also making a tangible difference in the local community. Cricket Albury Wodonga is using the cost savings from the project to strengthen its development programs, including pathways for junior male and female cricketers throughout the region. By tapping into North East Victoria’s rich solar resources and utilising the facility’s expansive roof space, this project showcases the potential of local renewable energy generation.
Over a year of operation, from mid-August 2023 to mid-August 2024, the system exported 126.2 MWh of electricity, sufficient to cover the 115.4 MWh of electricity imported across Patagonia stores at that same time. Across the year, 58% of Patagonia’s annual energy imports were time-matched with exports from the solar PV system (energy sharing).
Across months with higher generation, this figure increases dramatically, with 71% of Patagonia’s energy needs met by the solar PV system in February 2024 alone.
Kate Maffett, Finance and Operations Director at Patagonia Australia said partnering with communities to tackle climate change is at the core of their business.
“Patagonia is in business to save our home planet. We’re always looking for specific things our company can do to reduce our impact and reverse the root causes of climate change – decarbonising our electricity usage is one crucial aspect of that.”
“We have a history of supporting Totally Renewable Yackandandah through our 1% For the Planet environmental grants program. At the same time, we‘ve been working towards covering 100 per cent of our electricity needs with renewable energy sources – not just by purchasing green energy but by investing in local generation capacity. To be able to link up with a social enterprise like Indigo Power, which shares our values, makes this project incredibly exciting for us.”
The relationship between Patagonia and Indigo Power is a long-standing and productive one, rooted in shared values and a commitment to sustainability. This project is the latest chapter in our collaboration, building on initiatives like supporting Totally Renewable Yackandandah through Patagonia’s 1% For the Planet program.
You can find out more about our ongoing work with Patagonia, including our joint efforts with Totally Renewable Yackandandah, the Yack Battery Launch and more, on Patagonia’s Roaring Journals Blog.
The solar PV system was installed by KDEC Solar & Electrical.
Ben is Indigo Power’s Managing Director. He has a passion for collaborative initiatives that positively impact our communities. Ben leads our skilled and committed projects team, driving the uptake of community-scale clean energy technologies in communities around Australia.