“This market-leading technology will save customers time by providing them with a quick assessment of how solar will support their household’s energy requirements, including how much it will cost to install and how much they can potentially save,” says Origin General Manager of Retail Sales and Marketing, Duncan Permezel.

“The tailored and detailed nature of the solution makes it easy for customers to understand the potential benefits of solar energy for their home and make an informed decision about what’s best for them.”

Origin says the solution is available now for customers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra metropolitan areas, with the platform using machine learning to calculate the most suitable solar product for any household.

Calculations are based on details including roof pitch, area and shading from obstructions, coupled with insights on specific household energy consumption.

The solution was developed by Origin in collaboration with Accenture, whose data scientists designed and deployed it, working closely with Google Cloud.

Origin says the platform can provide customers with solar power generation forecasts, system and installation costs, potential energy and bill savings, and details on the investment break-even point, providing a complete assessment of the merits of a potential investment in solar panels.

“Previously, prospective solar customers would need to speak with a sales agent and schedule a site inspection to gain this level of personalisation and detail in their quote, a process which can sometimes take weeks,” said Duncan Permezel.

“For customers who would prefer to chat to a solar expert or have someone visit their home to inspect their roof, that level of service is still something we provide. This DIY online solar platform is another way that we are trying to make it easier for more customers to access cleaner, smarter and more affordable energy solutions.”

Ben Tulloch, a managing director and lead for the Accenture Google Cloud Business Group in Australia and New Zealand, said: “This innovative solution was built by Accenture data scientists with expertise in solar and industrial engineering, and showcases the potential of cloud as a launchpad for powering advanced analytics and visual AI. Our goal is to help Origin grow through hyper-personalised solar offerings for more than two million households.”

Alister Dias, VP of Google Cloud in ANZ, said: “Solving for climate change is a top priority for Google Cloud, and this innovative new solution by Origin, made possible by our collaboration with Accenture, is a great example of how we can equip households across Australia with the platform to make a difference."

Origin says it is the largest solar installer in Australia, having installed more than 1.6 million solar panels on Australian roofs in the past 15 years - and more than one in four Australian homes now have solar panels, and rooftop solar capacity is projected to triple by 20301.

Customers in serviceable areas interested in learning more about whether their home is suitable for solar and what their potential costs and savings could look like can find the Origin Solar Assessment Tool by entering their address and following the prompts at Origin Energy.