Local solar-sharers crowned at Aussie design awards

An Australian solar-sharing invention has received top gong at the 2026 Australian Good Design Awards.

The annual competition celebrates leading designers from Australia and around the world.

Melbourne-based Allume Energy took out the Australian Good Design Award of the Year for a system allowing apartment residents to split and share energy caught by rooftop solar based on need.

Chair of Good Design Australia Brandon Gien told AAP the system was a "stand-out example of design excellence" at the awards.

"What was really profound... was the fact that they've solved a problem that no one has managed to solve to date, and they've done it through good, clever, intuitive design," he said.

The system was designed to instantaneously divide power between units connected to a single solar array.

The company estimated Solshare is connected to more than 10,000 apartments with energy bill savings of around 30 to 40 per cent.

Dr Gien said Australia was home to truly world-class talent and giving talent the right support, investment and industry opportunities would be crucial to raising Australia's international standing.

"If we can get those things right, there's enormous potential to unlock more Australian innovation," he said.

An easy-lifting beehive won Best in Discipline for Engineering Design.

The company behind the Flow Super Lifter designed a product to minimise the crushing of bees as components are moved for inspection.

Greenshoot Consulting, with Wurundjeri Elders, took top honours for the Built Environment discipline.

The group delivered a ceremonial gathering space for the heart of Melbourne's City Square public area with inscribed pavers surrounding a central hand-crafted smoking ceremony dish.

Australian designers Frost*collective took out communication design honours for wayfinding and environmental graphics at Sydney Children's Hospital.