Solar – all in a day’s work
There is a reason why large renewable-energy companies have their eyes firmly fixed on the Wimmeramallee.
The environment in which we live is the attraction – the wide-open spaces and critically, our climate.
People need only live in the region a short time to quickly realise that a big sky and a blazing sun are part of everyday life.
And it is that mighty nuclear furnace we call the sun, which for much of the year consistently breaks through our minimal cloud barrier, that gets everyone motivated.
In our part of the world the sun is a massive power source and we have barely scratched the surface in realising its full potential in generating socioeconomic growth and vitality.
Busy trade is at the heart of regional community health and importantly the sun provides opportunities for Wimmeramallee entrepreneurs to take full advantage.
This especially applies to businesses that operate during daylight hours, when solar systems are at their cost-effective prime.
One of the region’s most successful agricultural enterprises, O’connors, is a key example of a business that has recognised and pursued the benefits of solar power.
The family-owned farm-machinery business, in working with renowned Wimmera solar-system specialist Wade’s, has tapped into the resource and is seeing financial rewards.
O’connors, which operates 10 outlets across three states, first installed a 60-kilowatt solar system at its Horsham site in 2014.
Results have been so good that installed similar systems at its Birchip and Warracknabeal outlets.
Stacks up
The firm’s chief financial officer Michael Mcgough said the realisation of benefits in using solar power were obvious.
“We had done our research into electricity needs and explored our options to keep costs down,” he said.
“Solar was one of those options. We did our due diligence and the numbers stacked up. In fact it’s made a massive financial difference.
“In business you always try to provide the highest quality of service to customers. If you can keep overheads down, then you can keep charge rates down.
“In the end it means you can deliver quality services at the lowest possible price. That’s why this works.
“Importantly, our business predominantly uses the majority of power during the day when solar power works at its best.”
Mr Mcgough said a lack of maintenance was also a major benefit.
“It’s almost a set-and-forget process. All the systems are online and webbased and monitored remotely to see how they’re performing,” he said.
“It is surprising. Even on days when it’s relatively overcast you can see it still working because we have a lot of sunlight. All our locations are the same – in the middle of vast, sunny areas.
“At O’connors we obviously also recognise that it’s very important that we look after the environment considering it is on what our customer base so heavily relies.
“It’s also about being a leader, a good corporate citizen and supporting other local businesses.”
Mr Mcgough said Wades also eased pressure from its customers by looking after paperwork.
“They handled all that and made it quite easy, which is fantastic,” he said.
Advantages
Wade’s managing director Adrian Wade said there were many advantages in businesses tapping into solar power.
“Commercial business is a significant growth area in the uptake of solar power,” he said.
“Importantly, there is an enormous amount of governance and advocacy support for installing solar systems.
“That has led to various schemes to help people finance systems, reduce upfront costs and basically make it affordable.
“For example, up to December businesses can claim instant asset write-offs, which is a wonderful incentive to tap into a renewable resource.
“There are big benefits for business – they can be cash-flow positive from day one and it works well for both tenants and landlords.”
Financial support for owner-occupiers and landlords is also available through Sustainable Melbourne Fund, which allows for repayments through council rates.
Under an Environmental Upgrade Agreement, landlords can improve their buildings while helping tenants save on operational costs.
Tenants share repayments of the upgrades while increasing the leasing potential of the property.
Landlords can negotiate repayment with tenants so that both parties benefit fairly.
Owner-occupiers can also improve their building while saving on operational costs.
This can help free-up cash flow, again increasing the value of their property.
Mr Wade said loan payments through an EUA were a statutory council charge.
He said this type of finance allowed businesses to arrange repayments that best suited their operating structures.
“There is plenty to talk about and all anyone needs to do is call us to discuss options,” he said.