Victoria Bitter has launched Solar Exchange – a new program that gives lovers of beer and the environment the opportunity to trade their excess solar energy for slabs of Victoria Bitter.   

Participants can exchange credit on their power bill – obtained by generating excess solar at home – for VB. Every $30 worth of credit can be exchanged for a slab, delivered straight to your door.

Brian Phan, General Manager Marketing Victoria Bitter, said: “Last year we put the Australian sun to work and started brewing VB with 100% offset solar energy. Now we’ve launched this Aussie-first program to thank those who have made the effort to go solar with some hard-earned VB.

“The only thing better than drinking the Big Cold Beer in the Aussie sun is earning beer while you do it. Plus it’s a real win-win for beer lovers and the environment."

But sign up quickly. The redemption is capped at 500.

The program is part of Asahi’s ambitious sustainability agenda, including the goal to be powered by 100% renewable electricity by 2025. In 2018 CUB adopted renewable energy as the way forward with the signing of a 12-year Power Purchase Agreement for 74,000 MWh per year of renewable energy from the giant solar farm outside Mildura. Asahi Beverages acquired CUB last year.

Solar Exchange has been developed in partnership with the 5-star rated energy retailer Diamond Energy, and Power Ledger, a blockchain-powered software platform that enables energy trading. VB will receive the solar credits it obtains under the exchange from Diamond Energy and re-invest them back into the program or towards the business’ broader sustainability goals.

Customers who sign-up to the program can track how much beer they have earned based on how many solar energy credits they have exchanged with VB, with slabs being delivered each quarter.

Tony Sennitt, Managing Director, Diamond Energy said: “We are proud to partner with VB and look forward to helping Australians get the most out of their solar through this innovative solar exchange program – it’s good for them and the environment!”

Power Ledger Co-Founder and Chairman Dr Jemma Green said: "Power Ledger is delighted that our technology is being used to keep participants informed of their progress in the program. We are a global pioneer of peer-to-peer energy trading, and in a country that thrives on the beer economy, we are excited to be part of Australia’s first peer-to-beer energy exchange scheme.”  

Here is how the exchange works and further information including eligibility requirements and terms and conditions are available here.  

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