Council powering business’ solar upgrades with Aurrum Aged Care

Aurrum Aged Care Healesville is now generating solar power to offset its daytime energy needs, with a new system installed this month funded through an Environmental Upgrade Agreement (EUA).

The EUA – a financial agreement between Aurrum Aged Care, Yarra Ranges Council and the Sustainable Melbourne Fund, has resulted in over 300 solar panels or 99kW of power installed at Aurrum by Gippsland Solar.

Under an EUA, a business or commercial property owner can apply to have building upgrades, that include solar power, energy and water efficiency improvements. The environmental upgrades are paid for with a long term competitive loan secured on the property.

The property owner repays the loan through Council rates, where Council transfers the repayments to the finance provider.

Ryrie Ward Councillor, Fiona McAllister, said that Aurrum Aged Care was the third business in the Yarra Valley to sign an EUA with Council.

“Last year, we had a fantastic success with Four Pillars Gin Distillery installing a 70kW solar system, which has dramatically reduced their reliance on the mains grid,” Cr McAllister said.

“We’re having some great conversations with businesses across Yarra Ranges who will be able to benefit from an EUA and it is expected that here will be a few more projects underway this year.

“As one of our larger aged care facilities on this side of the Valley, offsetting power through solar panels will have a huge impact to their running costs and will reduce their environmental footprint.”

A bird's eye view of the solar panel installation at Aurrum Aged Care. Picture: Gippsland Solar

Aurrum General Manager, Peter Cullen, said that this was a leap forward in ensuring environmental sustainability.

“Aurrum Aged Care is delighted to partner with the Council and the Sustainable Melbourne Fund to undertake this transformational project,” Mr Cullen said.

“Aurrum Aged Care remains committed to continued investment in the community and local projects.”

“EUAs are at a critical juncture in Australia, with a meaningful marketplace forming in Victoria and Yarra Ranges Council is part of this critical mass,” Sustainable Melbourne Fund Chief Executive Scott Bocskay said.

“We are proud to work with these leading local businesses, such as Aurrum and Four Pillars, to demonstrate the broad application of EUAs to finance projects like rooftop mounted solar and batteries.

“Victoria is the fastest growing EUA market in Australia and it is great to have councils like Yarra Ranges joining in to support the local business community.”

To find out more about securing Environmental Upgrade Finance for a business, visit sustainablemelbournefund.com.au