The Plico Story

Plico is your long-term partner in solar, batteries and VPP. We are a leading Australian clean energy company building a sustainable energy grid for the future.

 

We help make solar and batteries more accessible through unlocking all Federal and WA rebates and no-interest loans and offering flexible finance options, then help you get more from your system through smart technology and our independent Virtual Power Plant.

 

It means more control over your energy, greater protection from rising energy costs and blackouts, and a partner that stays with you for the long haul.

The origins of Plico.

In 2017, a group of innovators gathered to discuss how they could positively impact climate change. Plico’s two founding members, Brian Innes and Mike Kilcullen were the brainchildren behind the idea of a member-based, residential Virtual Power Plant (VPP) that could benefit both the participants and the grid with a clean energy solution.

With a background in clean energy, they put together a unique community model that allowed people to run their homes on clean energy with a solar panel + battery system in the coastal town of Dunsborough, WA. The model was brought to life as the Dunsborough Community Energy Project (DCEP) by Starling Energy Group and was funded by Swiss sustainable investor SUSI Partners, who provided the capital investment for the project.

Thus, WA’s first VPP, and Australia’s first 100% privately funded plant of its kind, was born! As the project expanded to neighbouring towns, it was rebranded to Plico Energy. Plico is derived from the Latin word for 'link', which reflects our mission to build a community of connected clean energy systems under a VPP. Linking individual households and businesses in this way allows our community to have a greater impact on the planet and accelerate the clean energy transition in WA.

The Plico community expanded quickly from the first installations in Dunsborough in 2019. By 2023, Plico was installing one in every four solar batteries in WA...and counting! In early 2023, we crossed the 1000-member threshold and in 2024 we expanded our operations into Victoria and into New South Wales in 2025. We're proud to have now installed more than 6,000 solar batteries in Aussie homes.

Plico has come a long way in its relatively short history.

Brian and Mike have stepped back from the day-to-day running of the business, however they remain inspired by Plico’s growing movement; supporting more Australians to take control of their energy and positively impact the environment.

 
Our Story team
Homes with solar panels

Plico's VPP: Community impact from Day One.

Plico’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) was built into the model from the start, linking 6,000+ household solar and battery systems into one community-powered clean energy network.

As one of the only end-to-end solar, battery, finance and VPP providers, we know how important it is to provide real value for VPP participation. Our low-touch VPP rewards members for taking part, always prioritises household energy use and allows members to opt in or out of VPP notifications. 

Being part of the Plico VPP means greater energy independence, VPP Rewards and the chance to support a more resilient, renewable grid from Day One.

Plico's is the first national VPP participating in both the Wholesale Electricity Market (WEM) and the National Electricity Market (NEM), with more than 80 MWh of distributed battery capacity. It's approved for both the WA Battery Rebate and NSW VPP Cash Rebate, allowing our members to get more value from their battery investment. 

Why does Plico use a membership model? 

Empowering everyday Australians to accelerate the transition to clean energy is at the heart of everything we do. It’s what gets us out of bed each morning. That’s why we’ve created our award-winning community energy business model – ensuring the benefits flow to our amazing community.

Plico was structured to make solar + battery solutions affordable and accessible for as many people as possible. By eliminating installation fees and removing large upfront technology costs, Plico has designed a model to make reliable, renewable energy affordable.

The membership model allows Plico to install cutting-edge technology and support members for the long haul. At the end of their agreement with us, Plico members can choose to own their systems outright and continue to benefit from 24/7 solar savings or renew their membership and upgrade their system.

Today, Plico Community Council (PCC) is the not-for-profit association that all Plico members are part of. Our dedicated PCC Committee represents the Plico community and drives our community impact and member support projects. Members who find themselves in financial difficulty have access to hardship support, and the Plico impact goes further through the Plico Future Fund, which supports local environmental and community projects. This is another way that Plico supports our members and the wider community.

Here for the long term.  

Plico provides a local business commitment and the security of international support.

In addition to Plico being born and bred in Australia, we are also backed by Swiss energy transition investment specialist, Gresham House (formerly SUSI Partners). Their multi-million dollar investment shows the project's validity and the brand's longevity.

We are demonstrating the value of our established fleet of solar + battery systems by collaborating with government, energy retailers, research institutions and industry in projects like Project Symphony and Race for 2030. We have the only independent VPP approved for the WA Battery Rebate and our finance model has the support of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) Household Energy Upgrades Fund™. 

We have an open and transparent approach to everything we do, including our sales and marketing. That means no pushy sales tactics, no dodgy installers, and a 100% solar cowboy-free zone! We’re with our members for the long haul, so building a positive relationship is paramount – and that begins with your very first interaction with us.

Our friendly team is always available for a chat if you have any questions. Simply call us on 1300 175 426 to learn more about Plico.

Or, if you’d like to find out more about installing your own solar + battery solution and being part of the Plico community, we’re happy to help. Not only will you be a part of a movement of local people powering the local community, but you'll also be able to access power during night times and blackouts too!
Our Story Robbie Campbell CEO with members
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Supported by Australia's Clean Energy Finance Corporation

Plico has secured up to $35 million in finance from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) through the Household Energy Upgrades Fund™, a powerful endorsement of our combined solar, battery and Virtual Power Plant service and mission to make clean energy affordable for all Australians. 

With Plico, you have direct access to this low-cost finance and our flexible payment options, so you can start saving from Day One with your Plico solar + battery solution. 

Plico in the News.

Find out what the media is saying about Plico and our mission to make clean energy affordable and accessible for all. 

Case Studies.

  • Plico Testimonial2
    $5200
    "Since we've installed Plico, so far we've saved thousands of dollars. When we first started, we had $1200 a bill and now, like I say, we're in credit now which is great. We've got four boys, so the dishwasher is always on, the washing machine is always on."
    Saved annually
    Grant & Rhani's story
    Watch on youtube
    $5200 Saved annually
    "Since we've installed Plico, so far we've saved thousands of dollars. When we first started, we had $1200 a bill and now, like I say, we're in credit now which is great. We've got four boys, so the dishwasher is always on, the washing machine is always on."
    Grant & Rhani's story
    Watch on youtube
Plico Member charging an EV

"Good service, great price, extremely professional install. Very neat and tidy and the products deliver as promised."

 

Leith, Greenfields WA

19 March 2026

Plico member with dog and phone

"Great service and everything went well. Couldn't be happier."

 

Terry, Jindalee WA

15 March 2026

Plico member in garden on sunny day

"Excellent value for money, super easy to enquire and arrange our whole install. Very happy!"

 

Jamie, Margaret River WA

6 April 2026

Plico installer sitting on roof

"Found both the sales/office staff as well as installers to be friendly and knowledgeable, as well as passionate about the industry." 

Ric, Butler WA

21 June 2026

Plico member with battery and cup of tea

"The VPP makes perfect sense to me. This is one of the major benefits of being a Plico member."

 

Chris, Hamilton Hill WA

2 April 2025

As Featured On

Smart Solar. Made Simple.

Welcome to your one-stop shop for solar, battery, finance and Virtual Power Plant. Plico makes saving big simple. 
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Seamless, smart solar.


Everything works together — panels, battery and inverter — to save you money and stay in control, with real-time energy monitoring. 

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24/7 solar savings.


Solar panels only do half the job. Our solar batteries allow you to use your solar energy day and night, and during blackouts. 

 

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Earn with your energy.


Make the most of your battery investment and earn rewards with our Virtual Power Plant. You'll be helping the grid and your hip pocket!

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Save from Day One.


Everything included for one low weekly instalment. Hardware, installation and ongoing support. Choose CEFC-backed Plico Finance or pay upfront — the choice is yours.  

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Unlock your battery rebates without the solar battery experts, Plico.
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Want to know more about Plico? Reach out to our switched-on team today. 
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