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We here at Alice Solar City firmly believe that that sharing stories, experiences and learnings is one of the best ways to help businesses on their energy champion journey.
The case studies below provide real world examples of what customers have achieved with the support of Alice Solar City. We will be adding new case studies regularly so do visit again soon. You can also visit our solar power page for information on the business solar systems installed in Alice Springs.
The case studies are mostly pdf documents, for which you will need the Adobe Reader software installed.
Turning an office into a mini power stationZone A is a small architectural firm servicing the Alice Springs community and region. They relocated to their Larapinta Drive premises in March 2008. Originally a residential double brick home, extensive renovations were carried out with a focus on energy efficiency and design for the local environment. Zone A approached Alice Solar City with a view to installing a photovoltaic solar power system on the building. After their energy consumption records for 12 months were received from Power and Water Corporation, a walk through energy survey was conducted.
"It’s amazing how conscious we are of our energy consumption now that we have a solar system,and the challenge each day is to consume less than we produce!”
Stuart Chalmers, Owner, Zone A Architects Pty Ltd
Read the case study online or download the pdf.
A comprehensive energy efficiency makeoverThe Mt Nancy Motel was purchased by the new owners in early 2009. Director of the Mt Nancy Motel Robert Gwynne, who has also built 7 star properties in South Australia, says he was keen to show Territorian businesses what can be achieved through property redevelopment. Alice Solar City was approached early in the redevelopment and refurbishment process, with a general goal of achieving a high level of environmental performance.
“We’re over the moon with what we’ve achieved at Mt Nancy. Alice Solar City really got us on the right track, with great recommendations and fantastic funding assistance!”
Robert Gwynne, Owner, Mt Nancy Motel.
Mt Nancy Motel is Part of our solar trail.
Read the case study online or download the pdf
Reptiles get a solar boostThe Alice Springs Reptile Centre is a unique tourist attraction housing the largest display of reptiles in Central Australia, including Terry the saltwater
crocodile. The business premises is housed within the heritage precinct in
a weatherboard building and more than 100 reptiles are on display both outdoors, and indoors in specially heated cabinets. The owner of the Centre approached Alice Solar City with the goal of installing solar power and reducing its overall energy consumption, which in turn will help the
business in its pursuit for Eco-tourism Accreditation.
“Achieving eco accreditation is an important goal for our business, and Alice Solar City have been a big help in assisting us to achieve our goal – while saving money along the way!"
Rex Neindorf, Director, Alice Springs Reptile Centre
Read the Case Study (pdf)
Ecotourism accredited business goes solarAlice Springs Helicopters is an award winning aviation business located at the Alice Springs airport, catering to the tourist market and general industry. The office building is a transportable, consisting of colourbond cladding and gyprock lining, and the site also includes a hangar to store aircraft. The business is the first helicopter organisation in Australia to achieve Advanced Ecotourism accreditation, so the owners have already made a significant investment in being environmentally efficient. They approached Alice Solar City with a view to install a solar photovoltaic system and to find out how else they could save on energy consumption.
“The work undertaken with Alice Solar City reinforces our commitment to the environment and sustainable business practices as an Advanced Eco-Tourism Accredited operator.”
Mechelle Collins, Director, Alice Springs Helicopters
Read the Case Study (pdf)
A bold and comprehensive energy transformationAs one of the largest hotels in Alice Springs, Crowne Plaza Alice Springs offers 236 hotel rooms and a range of restaurant, conference and other facilities. It is well known for its iconic photovoltaic power system project, boasting one of Australia’s largest building mounted solar systems,
generating up to 100% of daytime power needs.
Behind the scenes, Crowne Plaza Alice Springs is making an equally dramatic if somewhat less visible contribution to their sustainability drive. In late 2007 they commissioned a detailed energy efficiency audit, which highlighted a number of significant energy saving opportunities.
“We have come a long way in achieving our initial sustainability goals thanks in part to the support of Alice Solar City. The benefits have already assisted other hotels within our portfolio and have permeated further through the greater hotel industry.”
Garry Marsh, Asset Manager, BG Investment Holdings Pty Ltd
Read about their 304kW solar power system - our first iconic project
Read the case study (pdf)
Energy champion of the month!The Alice Motor Inn is a 20 room accommodation facility nestled in the heart of Alice Springs’ East Side. Built in the 1960s, with additions in the 1970s, it was purchased by its new owners in 2009. The facility consists of 3 accommodation buildings, one combined reception/accommodation building, a laundry shed and an in-ground swimming pool. Concerned at the high energy use on site, the owners approached Alice Solar City with a view to implement a comprehensive energy makeover.
“Making our business more energy efficient was just common sense. With Alice Solar City’s support we have been able to do so much more”.
PJ Bedford, Manager, Alice Motor Inn
Read the case study online or download pdf (pdf)
Heating up the energy savingsThe Desert Palms Resort offers a unique accomodation style, with 80 villa style units situated amongst graceful palms and trailing bouganvilias.
The resort owner signed up for a free Alice Solar City energy survey, which identified a number of potential energy efficiency projects. Key amongst these recommendations was addressing hot water energy use.
Read the case study online.
en's Hall of Fame The National Pioneer Women’s Hall of Fame has pioneered the way for non-profit tourism enterprises, to save money through saving energy. After their Alice Solar City walk through energy survey, we identified that they were already something of an energy champion, with air-conditioned spaces already insulated, efficient fluorescent lighting in place, and a careful eye kept on turning equipment off when not required. The survey highlighted several actions through which even more savings could be made...
Read the case study online.
A 5.4kW Solar Power system installation was completed in November 2010
Milner Meat Supply is a gourmet butcher shop with an extensive range of products including game meats, free range products, homemade products such as hams & bacon, as well as imported cheeses and smallgoods.
Like many businesses, Milner Meat Supply were facing rising energy costs and as such were keen to find ways to reduce their electricity consumption, particularly due to their high refrigeration needs. When approached, Alice Solar City set out to identify a program of energy efficient recommendations for the owners to consider.
Read the case study online.
The following organisations are also active participants with Alice Solar City, having taken advantage of one or more of our incentive offerings to improve their energy efficiency and/or increase their use of solar energy: