JT Solar Technology has partnered with UNSW Canberra and clean energy company Voltval to launch an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered pilot project aimed at improving rooftop solar and battery storage access for apartment residents across Australia. The initiative focuses on overcoming long-standing barriers that have limited renewable energy adoption in multi-unit residential buildings by introducing smarter energy management solutions.
The project is built around the Modular Power Portal System (MPPS), a shared energy platform jointly developed by JT Solar and Voltval. The system combines rooftop solar generation with community battery storage, allowing electricity to be distributed efficiently among multiple apartments. Researchers from UNSW Canberra will integrate an advanced AI optimisation layer capable of forecasting energy production, predicting electricity demand, and balancing energy flows across connected properties in real time.
Supported by a AUD 1.2 million grant under the Australian Government’s Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) program, the collaboration seeks to accelerate the deployment of intelligent renewable energy technologies. The pilot is expected to demonstrate how AI can enhance shared solar systems while improving operational efficiency and supporting the broader transition to cleaner energy.
The AI-enabled platform is designed to address the unique challenges faced by apartment complexes, including shared ownership structures, ageing electrical infrastructure, and complex metering arrangements. By enabling coordinated management of distributed energy resources, the technology aims to expand renewable energy access for millions of Australians living in high-density housing, where rooftop solar adoption remains significantly lower than in standalone homes.
According to the project partners, the pilot will be deployed across multiple residential and commercial sites in Sydney to evaluate the system’s real-world performance. Data collected during the trial will help validate the technology, improve AI-driven optimisation models, and support future commercial deployment across a wider range of building types. Researchers also expect the platform to increase renewable energy utilisation while reducing operating costs for participating properties.
JT Solar said the collaboration with UNSW Canberra provides the research expertise needed to validate the MPPS technology and prepare it for broader market adoption. The company believes the solution can help accelerate decarbonisation in urban environments by making shared solar and battery systems more practical, scalable, and accessible for apartment communities, contributing to Australia’s long-term clean energy transition.
