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PORT MACQUARIE, Australia, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the leading global PV inverter and energy storage system provider, has supported the delivery of a 300kW commercial solar upgrade at Saint Columba Anglican School (SCAS) in Port Macquarie. Delivered in partnership with local installer MNC Solar Power, the project replaced an ageing 100kW system with a high-capacity solar solution designed to reduce electricity costs, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen the school's long-term sustainability commitments.
- Four-Year Payback: Sungrow Delivers Long-Term Solution for SCAS
Schools like SCAS face increasing energy demands and rising electricity costs. As a large educational campus with multiple buildings and high daytime energy demand, SCAS required a scalable and efficient solar solution capable of maximising on-site energy consumption. The upgrade enables the school to significantly offset grid electricity use and achieve long-term operational savings, with an estimated payback period of approximately four years.
"We'll be able to offset the upfront capital costs within around four years. That means ongoing savings for the school, which helps take pressure off our operating expenses and allows us to continue delivering a great education for our students without rising electricity costs," said Steve Mitchell, Business Manager, Saint Columba Anglican School.
- Sungrow Technology Leads with Intelligent, Distance–Free Solar Networking
The newly installed system integrates three Sungrow 110 kW commercial inverters with 708 high–efficiency Canadian Solar 440 W panels.
"While using Modbus as the protocol, the system employs a logger-based wireless casading technology, the inverters will be connected via the school's existing wireless network, enabling intelligent load sharing across multiple buildings without the distance limitations or complexity of traditional cabling." said Young, Technical Service Manager, Sungrow.
This advanced system architecture enables more than 300 kW of solar generation to be dynamically balanced across distribution boards, ensuring optimal energy utilisation, enhanced system flexibility, and significantly reduced reliance on grid power.
- Real-Time Monitoring and Educational Opportunities for Students
Aside from system flexibility, the upgrade also provides SCAS with real–time energy monitoring through the iSolarCloud platform. Steve Mitchell highlights the immediate benefit: "We've now got data at our fingertips. We can log into the dashboard and see how much electricity the panels are generating, what we're consuming, and what's being exported to the grid." The platform serves as a valuable educational tool, giving students and teachers real–world insights into energy generation and consumption.
- A Seamless and Safe Installation Experience
The successful delivery of the project reflects the strong collaboration between Sungrow and MNC Solar Power, a trusted Mid North Coast installer with more than 30 years of industry experience. Sungrow's direct technical support ensured a smooth and safe installation process during the school holiday period, with no disruptions to school operations.
This project demonstrates how Sungrow's leading commercial inverter solutions, combined with strong local partnerships, can deliver reliable and scalable solar systems for complex environments such as educational campuses. By enabling smarter energy management and real-time performance insights, Sungrow continues to support educational institutions and business in accelerating their transition to clean, efficient, and cost-effective energy.
About MNC Solar Power
MNC Solar Power is a Port Macquarie based solar battery specialist with over 30 years of combined industry experience. Serving Port Macquarie, Taree, and Kempsey, MNC Solar Power understands Mid–North Coast conditions and designs residential and commercial systems for maximum performance and long–term savings. With a strong focus on customer service, MNC Solar Power provides clear guidance from consultation to ongoing support. They install only premium products, including CanadianSolar panels and Sungrow inverters, ensuring durable, high–output systems built to last 20+ years.
About Sungrow
Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of June 2025, Sungrow has installed 870 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world's most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we're committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com/en.
Media Contact: Luly Wang, luly.wang@sungrow-hq.com
PORT MACQUARIE, Australia, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the leading global PV inverter and energy storage system provider, has supported the delivery of a 300kW commercial solar upgrade at Saint Columba Anglican School (SCAS) in Port Macquarie. Delivered in partnership with local installer MNC Solar Power, the project replaced an ageing 100kW system with a high-capacity solar solution designed to reduce electricity costs, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen the school's long-term sustainability commitments.
- Four-Year Payback: Sungrow Delivers Long-Term Solution for SCAS
Schools like SCAS face increasing energy demands and rising electricity costs. As a large educational campus with multiple buildings and high daytime energy demand, SCAS required a scalable and efficient solar solution capable of maximising on-site energy consumption. The upgrade enables the school to significantly offset grid electricity use and achieve long-term operational savings, with an estimated payback period of approximately four years.
"We'll be able to offset the upfront capital costs within around four years. That means ongoing savings for the school, which helps take pressure off our operating expenses and allows us to continue delivering a great education for our students without rising electricity costs," said Steve Mitchell, Business Manager, Saint Columba Anglican School.
- Sungrow Technology Leads with Intelligent, Distance–Free Solar Networking
The newly installed system integrates three Sungrow 110 kW commercial inverters with 708 high–efficiency Canadian Solar 440 W panels.
"While using Modbus as the protocol, the system employs a logger-based wireless casading technology, the inverters will be connected via the school's existing wireless network, enabling intelligent load sharing across multiple buildings without the distance limitations or complexity of traditional cabling." said Young, Technical Service Manager, Sungrow.
This advanced system architecture enables more than 300 kW of solar generation to be dynamically balanced across distribution boards, ensuring optimal energy utilisation, enhanced system flexibility, and significantly reduced reliance on grid power.
- Real-Time Monitoring and Educational Opportunities for Students
Aside from system flexibility, the upgrade also provides SCAS with real–time energy monitoring through the iSolarCloud platform. Steve Mitchell highlights the immediate benefit: "We've now got data at our fingertips. We can log into the dashboard and see how much electricity the panels are generating, what we're consuming, and what's being exported to the grid." The platform serves as a valuable educational tool, giving students and teachers real–world insights into energy generation and consumption.
- A Seamless and Safe Installation Experience
The successful delivery of the project reflects the strong collaboration between Sungrow and MNC Solar Power, a trusted Mid North Coast installer with more than 30 years of industry experience. Sungrow's direct technical support ensured a smooth and safe installation process during the school holiday period, with no disruptions to school operations.
This project demonstrates how Sungrow's leading commercial inverter solutions, combined with strong local partnerships, can deliver reliable and scalable solar systems for complex environments such as educational campuses. By enabling smarter energy management and real-time performance insights, Sungrow continues to support educational institutions and business in accelerating their transition to clean, efficient, and cost-effective energy.
About MNC Solar Power
MNC Solar Power is a Port Macquarie based solar battery specialist with over 30 years of combined industry experience. Serving Port Macquarie, Taree, and Kempsey, MNC Solar Power understands Mid–North Coast conditions and designs residential and commercial systems for maximum performance and long–term savings. With a strong focus on customer service, MNC Solar Power provides clear guidance from consultation to ongoing support. They install only premium products, including CanadianSolar panels and Sungrow inverters, ensuring durable, high–output systems built to last 20+ years.
About Sungrow
Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of June 2025, Sungrow has installed 870 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world's most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we're committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com/en.
Media Contact: Luly Wang, luly.wang@sungrow-hq.com
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Advancing Sustainable Education at Saint Columba Anglican School with Sungrow
Advancing Sustainable Education at Saint Columba Anglican School with Sungrow
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LONDON, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel Insurance, the insurance operation within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL), today announced the promotion of Ben House to Director – Energy & Power, effective immediately.
In his newly expanded role, House will oversee Markel's Renewable Energy and Power portfolio across the organisation's International division, alongside his existing responsibilities as head of Markel's Upstream, Midstream and Downstream Energy team. This strategic move unites these areas under a single Energy & Power team, enhancing ease of trading for customers through a more holistic underwriting approach.
Leading this newly unified team, House will focus on managing an integrated group of experienced underwriters, analysts and risk engineers – driving product innovation, nurturing long-term customer relationships and optimising underwriting processes.
The convergence of Markel's Energy teams reflects the organisation's commitment to supporting energy clients with tailored coverage and providing more effective identification, mitigation and transfer of risks throughout the entire value chain – from production and transportation through to processing, generation and distribution.
House is based in London and will report to Rohan Davies, Managing Director – London Market.
Davies commented: "The global power sector is experiencing significant growth, primarily driven by renewables and the rising electricity demand, which is expected to increase by 25% by 2030. Concurrently, heightened geopolitical risks – from trade wars to advanced cyber-attacks – threaten critical infrastructure, further underscores the important role of insurance in helping these businesses transfer and mitigate the associated risks.
"Our clients' risks, capital structures and technologies are increasingly converging. Combining Energy and Power will allow us to underwrite portfolios more holistically, use our specialist expertise more efficiently and provide a simpler service, more coordinated experience for brokers and clients – all while better positioning us to support the energy transition across the value chain."
He continued: "Ben's experience of delivering bespoke solutions for clients across the energy sector, together with his strong track record of leading global underwriting teams, makes him ideally suited for this consolidated role. His expertise will play an important part in helping to elevate our leadership profile across the renewable, traditional energy and power generation sectors."
House said: "I'm delighted to step into my new position as Director of Energy & Power at Markel International. Bringing together our Energy and Power underwriters, analysts and risk engineers will further strengthen our technical underwriting capabilities, enhance innovation and enable us to make even more effective and empowered underwriting decisions – reaffirming clarity of coverage, particularly for complex risks."
House started his career at Markel as an upstream underwriter in the Marine & Energy Division, progressing into new energy markets and providing lead capabilities across the upstream and midstream market. In 2018, he was promoted to Head of Upstream – a position he held for five years – before progressing to Director of Energy in 2023. In the latter position, House has played a leading role in developing bespoke energy insurance solutions for clients and building a strong-performing global P&L across multiple international underwriting teams.
About Markel Insurance
We are Markel Insurance, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within the Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we leverage a broad array of capabilities and expertise to create intelligent solutions for the most complex specialty insurance needs. However, it is our people – and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients – that differentiates us worldwide.
LONDON, Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel Insurance, the insurance operation within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL), today announced the promotion of Ben House to Director – Energy & Power, effective immediately.
In his newly expanded role, House will oversee Markel's Renewable Energy and Power portfolio across the organisation's International division, alongside his existing responsibilities as head of Markel's Upstream, Midstream and Downstream Energy team. This strategic move unites these areas under a single Energy & Power team, enhancing ease of trading for customers through a more holistic underwriting approach.
Leading this newly unified team, House will focus on managing an integrated group of experienced underwriters, analysts and risk engineers – driving product innovation, nurturing long-term customer relationships and optimising underwriting processes.
The convergence of Markel's Energy teams reflects the organisation's commitment to supporting energy clients with tailored coverage and providing more effective identification, mitigation and transfer of risks throughout the entire value chain – from production and transportation through to processing, generation and distribution.
House is based in London and will report to Rohan Davies, Managing Director – London Market.
Davies commented: "The global power sector is experiencing significant growth, primarily driven by renewables and the rising electricity demand, which is expected to increase by 25% by 2030. Concurrently, heightened geopolitical risks – from trade wars to advanced cyber-attacks – threaten critical infrastructure, further underscores the important role of insurance in helping these businesses transfer and mitigate the associated risks.
"Our clients' risks, capital structures and technologies are increasingly converging. Combining Energy and Power will allow us to underwrite portfolios more holistically, use our specialist expertise more efficiently and provide a simpler service, more coordinated experience for brokers and clients – all while better positioning us to support the energy transition across the value chain."
He continued: "Ben's experience of delivering bespoke solutions for clients across the energy sector, together with his strong track record of leading global underwriting teams, makes him ideally suited for this consolidated role. His expertise will play an important part in helping to elevate our leadership profile across the renewable, traditional energy and power generation sectors."
House said: "I'm delighted to step into my new position as Director of Energy & Power at Markel International. Bringing together our Energy and Power underwriters, analysts and risk engineers will further strengthen our technical underwriting capabilities, enhance innovation and enable us to make even more effective and empowered underwriting decisions – reaffirming clarity of coverage, particularly for complex risks."
House started his career at Markel as an upstream underwriter in the Marine & Energy Division, progressing into new energy markets and providing lead capabilities across the upstream and midstream market. In 2018, he was promoted to Head of Upstream – a position he held for five years – before progressing to Director of Energy in 2023. In the latter position, House has played a leading role in developing bespoke energy insurance solutions for clients and building a strong-performing global P&L across multiple international underwriting teams.
About Markel Insurance
We are Markel Insurance, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within the Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we leverage a broad array of capabilities and expertise to create intelligent solutions for the most complex specialty insurance needs. However, it is our people – and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients – that differentiates us worldwide.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Markel promotes Ben House to Director of Energy & Power
