It all started with a simple realisation over lunch. Sam Cook, our newly appointed Program Head, and I were sitting together when it struck us—Smart Commercial Solar had, for the first time, women in every role needed to deliver a commercial solar project from start to finish.

In an industry where women make up just 23% of the workforce, and even fewer hold technical and leadership positions, this was a rare and remarkable moment. And with that, an idea sparked—what if we used this opportunity to shine a light on the work women are already doing, inspiring more to see themselves in this industry?

Turning an Idea into Action

This wasn’t about a token gesture—it was about recognising and amplifying the work already being done. At Smart Commercial Solar, we design and deliver large-scale commercial solar and storage projects, and this moment was a chance to highlight how the energy transition is also a workforce transition.

The next question was: which project should carry this milestone forward? Our teammate Molly Barr had the answer—Officeworks. A longtime client of Smart, Officeworks has been rolling out solar across its stores as part of a major sustainability commitment. Molly suggested the planned Bundoora store project, because the Officeworks team involved; from the store manager to the sustainability lead, project manager, and communications manager, happened to also be all women.

A video call between our teams confirmed just how unique and exciting this moment was: every person on the screen was a woman. A screenshot was taken and shared—a light-hearted but powerful capture of a shift happening in real time.

Building the Right Team

With the project locked in, we turned to Australian Women in Solar Energy (AWISE), a group dedicated to increasing female representation in the industry. Could they help us source an all-female crew to install the system? Their enthusiasm was immediate and encouraging.

Founding Director Sophie Wright and Board Member Lily Pejkic (who owns Sydney Solar & Batteries), got to work straight away on assembling a quality team of female tradies to physically install the system when the time came, a crucial piece which had been missing until then.

Funding the project-which has been procured under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)-is Clear Sky Solar Investments, a community ethical investment vehicle which has sourced a female funder for this project.

More Than a Solar Installation

For the team at Smart, this project isn’t just about installing solar panels. It’s about making the work of women in solar more visible, reinforcing that they are an integral and growing part of the industry. I was excited when I noticed that the 2025 International Women’s Day theme is "Accelerate Action," as that's a big part of the motivation for me. Action and change are happening, but the more we can accelerate that change by amplifying the stories of women who are driving it, the better.

With a 96kW system set to be installed on the Officeworks Bundoora rooftop in mid-2025, this project will stand as a physical testament to that change. Hundreds of solar panels, days of meticulous planning, and a week of physically demanding labour under Australia’s unforgiving sun—but every panel lifted into place will be creating history on a global scale.

Kathryn Hoogesteger, our General Manager at Smart, put it best when she highlighted that this project is about more than just the women working on it today—it’s about inspiring the next generation. With the renewable energy sector growing fast, she pointed out that if the industry is to succeed, more women need to see themselves in these careers.

Australia already leads the world in rooftop solar, with over a third of households generating their own power. Yet, in the commercial sector, only 10% of buildings have solar—a gap that represents both an opportunity and a challenge. With Australia targeting an 82% renewable energy future by 2030, this industry needs all the talent it can get.

Powering a Movement

Our hope is that this installation will not only power a building: it will power a movement. A movement proving that women have always been a vital part of the clean energy transition—they just haven’t always been seen. That when organisations open the door to diverse talent, they don’t just fill quotas, they unlock innovation, drive change, and create a more sustainable future for everyone.

Officeworks has been a strong advocate for diversity in leadership, with women making up 45% of their executive leadership team and 41% of senior management roles. Their participation in this project underscores their commitment to a more inclusive, sustainable future.

 “Officeworks is incredibly proud to be part of this initiative, which aligns with our commitment to ensuring our team represents the communities in which we live and work. There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish and I am so proud to be part of the world’s first ever all-women commercial solar install at Bundoora Officeworks. This project is a true celebration of women in action—designed, managed, and executed entirely by female professionals across property, engineering, project management, analysis, marketing, and installation.”

- Officeworks’ Head of Property, Kylie Brockett

The Future is Bright

The renewable energy sector faces ongoing challenges, including a major skills shortage and a significant gender imbalance. But this project is about more than just filling those gaps—it’s about demonstrating the potential for change and creating a roadmap for the future of the industry.

Soon, on a rooftop under the Australian sun, that future will take shape—one solar panel at a time.