Solar panels installed on a West Australian dairy farm have helped cut energy costs by 40 per cent in peak periods and saved thousands of dollars.
Greg Norton is the manager at Capel Farms, approximately 200 kilometres south of Perth, where his vegetable business runs alongside the family dairy and cattle farm.
Mr Norton said power bills on the farm had risen by 65 per cent since 2008.
He said he decided to install a 30 kilowatt solar system as a means of reducing his energy costs.
“[The solar quote] looked too good to be true,” he said.
“So we tried it – and it was pretty good.”
Mr Norton said the panel installation cost between $55,000 to $60,000.
But he said that was the major expense of the project and he expected the installation to “pay for itself” in energy cost savings within the next five years.
The solar panels were installed on a shed roof at the farm in July 2014.
Mr Norton said since the panels were installed, he had seen a 40 per cent saving in his peak energy costs and an overall energy cost saving of about 15 per cent.
He said he had worked with an independent renewable energy provider and his energy company to negotiate prices.
He recommended anyone else considering turning to solar to engage in a conversation with their energy provider.
“You actually have to look at your power company,” he said.
“Because sometimes they will want to charge you more if you put solar panels on your roof.”
Mr Norton said installing the solar panels had also helped him look more closely at efficient energy use on the farm.
Source: ABC Rual