A celebratory gathering marking a landmark rooftop solar and battery installation happening on 48 houses in Point Pearce Aboriginal Community on Narungga Country in South Australia was held on 30 June 2026.
The gathering was held to celebrate the Point Pearce Community Solar and Battery Project which is now in motion.
It was attended by community members, executives from AGL, and representatives from South Australian Housing Trust, Aboriginal Land Trust, South Australian Department for Education, Yorke Peninsula community groups, and suppliers.
Through discussions initiated by the Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation in 2025, local electricity retailer AGL agreed to fund and install rooftop solar and battery storage systems on homes in the Point Pearce community, subject to site and technical suitability.
The solar and battery project aims to reduce household electricity costs in eligible houses managed by the South Australian Housing Trust, and provide long-term access to reliable, renewable energy infrastructure for the community.
Everyone was pumped and proud at the gathering, says Cat Beaton, SA coordinator for the First Nations Clean Energy Network, acknowledging it as a ground-breaking model.
“Community member Raymond Wanganeen talked about the important roll of community liaison and Uncle Eddie brought it all home saying this project is a part of righting the wrongs."
Eddie Newchurch from Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation says the project shows what can happen when community, industry - AGL, and state government work together.
“This project marks a turning of the tide for Aboriginal people being able to access clean, reliable, affordable energy on their homes.
“Residents at my community will now be able to enjoy the benefits of renewables – something that we have watched grow for decades but not be able to be a part of.
"The success of the Point Pearce Solar & Battery project is due to grassroots and real community engagement and community being the focus.”
Suzanne Falvi, AGL Executive General Manager Corporate Affairs and Reconciliation Action Plan Sponsor, says eligible homes in Point Pearce can participate, regardless of which energy retailer they use.
“For families, this could mean savings of around $1,000 to $2,000 a year on electricity bills."
AGL is providing funding for the project, delivered in collaboration with the Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation, the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining, the SA Housing Trust and the Aboriginal Lands Trust.
The project is also supported by battery supplier Sigenergy and logistics provider Bulk Group that discounted their products and services to support delivery. They were delivered alongside Twilight Energy, which provided installation services.
The installations began in May 2026 and are expected to take around two months to complete.
This story includes an excerpt from an AGL media release.
Read a fact sheet about the project here
Watch a webinar recording about the project here