Hire and Rental News - May 2019

EVENTS IN FOCUS Now we have done a full 12 months running on solar, we can really see the savings. Our power bill has gone from an average $2600 – $3200 a quarter to now become a credit of about $420 for the past two quarters for this premises alone. Going solar a ‘no brainer’ investment Barossa Valley Hire’s decision to go solar across its three depots and businesses is ‘really paying off’, Mark Burton, Managing Director at Barossa Valley Hire, Barossa Function Hire and YP Hire said. “W e now have solar panels on two of our three yards, plus all three yards have their own rain water tanks which supplies water to our toilets and washing (pressure cleaning) facilities for cleaning our hire equipment. Our water bills are very minimal,” Mark said. “We have a 30 kilowatt solar unit on our main admin and functions warehouse which was installed May 2018 for a total outlay of $22k, with a projected pay back of 2.8 years,” Mark said. “Now we have done a full 12 months running on solar, we can really see the savings. Our power bill has gone from an average $2600 – $3200 a quarter to now become a credit of about $420 for the past two quarters for this premises alone. “Our general equipment yard has a 6kW system installed in 2016 to cover power usage in that premises. This installation has cut our power bill in half. The only reason we didn’t go bigger on this property was due to the roof area facing north, Mark said. “The system was installed by National Renewable Group who did an awesome job. We have a live monitor system which our customers can view when entering our service centre and I can monitor it from my mobile phone.” Mark said he is looking at having a system installed on the businesses’ access yard in the next few months. “The cost of solar systems has become a lot more affordable. The pay back can be less than three years, which is amazing. If you think of solar systems like being an investment in a piece of hire equipment, it’s a no brainer to go solar.” n Contact: 08 8562 3399 or visit: www.barossavalleyhire.com.au Barossa Valley Hire has gone solar across its three depots and businesses After a full 12 months running on solar, the company can really see the savings There are now solar panels on two of three yards, plus all three yards have their own rain water tanks P50 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS • EVENTS IN FOCUS MAY 2019