Franklin Home Power Solution
Challenge
YAPS faced rising energy costs and growing demand for animal care:
- Annual electricity bills reached $8,000–$10,000
- Increased pet surrenders due to economic hardship
- Limited funding and reliance on donations and boarding revenue
- An aged solar panel system that didn’t provide enough energy to significantly lower bills
Solution
FranklinWH and RESINC Solar & Batteries installed a tailored and energy management with improved solar and battery storage system for YAPS: Installed an aGate intelligent controller and a 13.6 kWh aPower battery
- Supports on-grid/off-grid use, generator and EV input
- IP67-rated for flood resistance, ideal for North Queensland
Result
The system significantly reduced costs and improved operations:
- Cut energy bills by approximately two-thirds
- Enabled reinvestment into animal care and facility upgrades
- Ensured reliable power during outages, improving care continuity
The Steadfast Love and Compassion
In the heart of tropical North Queensland, the Young Animal Protection Society (YAPS) in Cairns has stood as a vital refuge for animals since 1993. As a no-kill shelter, YAPS is committed to taking in surrendered and rescued animals, many of which arrive in poor health or under distressing circumstances. In recent years, the rising cost of living has led to a growing number of pet surrenders, with many coming from those undergoing homelessness who can no longer take care of their animals. Despite the emotional and financial difficulties, the shelter has remained firm to its mission: no animal is turned away, and none are euthanized due to lack of space or resources.
Chairperson Margaret Cochrane has witnessed the challenges. “Some of the surrenders are pretty sad,” she shared. “We get animals that are neglected, unwell, or surrendered by people who’ve lost their homes, but we always take them, because we are a no-kill shelter. Some dogs are here for 300, even 400 days, but we don’t give up on them.”
To help fund this mission, YAPS runs a boarding facility for income, which Margaret described as essential to the shelter’s survival. The organization also relies on donations from the community and support from corporate partners. Recently, one such partnership made a transformative difference—FranklinWH, a leading provider of home energy management and battery storage solutions, installed the FranklinWH System at YAPS.
Reducing Costs, Increasing Care
Before the energy upgrade, YAPS was spending up to A$10,000 annually on electricity. With the installation of the FranklinWH System, those costs have been significantly cut by roughly two-thirds. “We're down to about a third of the power costs we had before,” Margaret said. “That’s a huge difference. We’ve gone from running a small office with a single air conditioner to powering a large, air-conditioned building with lights and everything we need. We’re saving money, and we’re doing more with it.”
The FranklinWH System at YAPS includes the aGate intelligent energy management controller and an 13.6 kWh aPower battery. Designed for flexibility and reliability, the system works both on-grid and off-grid, a crucial feature in regions such as North Queensland, which are prone to long outages due to cyclones and heavy rains.
The addition of modern solar panels generating 7.4 kW provides the ability to power more of the facility’s needs during the day while storing excess energy in the batteries to provide power at night, improving the efficiency of solar energy production. During prolonged grid outages, when solar isn’t producing (at night or during inclement weather), the system’s black start function automatically checks for return of solar production, charges the batteries and then returns power to YAPS.
Steve Ruskin, General Manager of FranklinWH Australia, explained, “We designed the system to be robust for extreme conditions. With a 12-year warranty that applies whether you're on or off the grid, and features such as black start and generator input, FranklinWH is well suited for remote or disaster-prone areas. The battery includes a 5% energy reserve, so if the battery fully discharges, it can wake up the next day and resume solar charging automatically.”
Built for Real-World Resiliency
Another standout feature is the IP67-rated aPower battery enclosure, which means it can survive full submersion in water up to one meter for 30 minutes. “We’ve seen installations in flood-hit areas such as Florida, where the power stayed on for a week after waters subsided and before grid power was restored,” Steve said. “That kind of resiliency is what makes a real difference when it matters most.”
The aGate includes what FranklinWH founder Gary Lam calls an “anything switch,” capable of integrating not only with solar panels and generators, but also with electric vehicles. In a power outage, users can plug in a compatible EV to power the battery system and home, which is an invaluable option when sunlight is limited and generator is unavailable. As Steve joked, “The system can even accept power with a dog running on a treadmill—fortunately, YAPS has plenty of those!”
Beyond the technical capabilities, FranklinWH's feature also included a unique LED light on the battery that gives instant visual feedback of the battery’s state of charge.
The More Profound Changes of YAPS
For YAPS, every dollar saved on power goes directly into animal care—feeding, sheltering, vaccinating, and rehoming the many animals that come through their gates. “It’s been a blessing,” Margaret said of the FranklinWH System. “We’re ready to go in the savings department now, and that means we can invest more into improving our facilities, caring for our animals, and supporting our community.”
The partnership with FranklinWH wasn’t just an installation. It was a lifeline to help a small but mighty organization keep doing what it does best: saving lives. As Steve wrapped up, “This is what FranklinWH is about—delivering safe and reliable energy to the people and places that need it most, and supporting communities that give so much back.”
YAPS is a shining example of how purpose-driven technology and community-centered compassion can come together to create lasting impact. With lower energy costs and greater resiliency, the shelter is better equipped than ever to provide a safe haven for Far North Queensland’s most vulnerable animals, helping them find their forever homes.