SRT Logistics estimates it will cut its power bills in half, after the company’s $2.5 million investment into solar photovoltaic panels at its Western Junction and Devonport sites.

The panels were installed over a two-month period through a collaborative effort between Aurora Energy and Beon Energy Solutions.

The refrigerated transport company’s solar panels will generate enough energy every year to power 143 homes, accroding to SRT Logistics chief executive Robert Miller.

“We’re acutely aware [that] we are a heavy impact industry,” he said. 

“We’re a Tasmanian business, with Tasmanian families, and we want to do everything we can to make sure we minimise and reduce the impact on the environment in every way we can.

“We’ve still got another site in Hobart that, all going well, we hope to do the same to next year.”

Aurora Energy chief executive Rebecca Kardos said it was seeing more commercial operations switching to renewable energy.

“I think for large businesses, a lot of them have national clients looking for environmental credentials and I think that’s something we are all really focussed on,” she said.

“Given the success experienced today, we look forward to other innovative ways we can support our large customers.”

Mr Miller said he expected the $2.5 million investment in the solar panels would be made back through power savings within the next seven years.

He said immense change in solar technology meant the project was now affordable, whereas five years ago this was not the case.

Beon Energy Solutions general manager Glen Thomson agreed, saying the asset life of the solar panels is expected to be about 25 years.

The SRT Logistics project was the first Tasmanian venture for the Melbourne-based Beon Energy Solutions. 

“Four years ago the cost of solar was probably double of what it is today and that’s why it is now viable for small businesses,” Mr Thomson said.

“Acceleration in [technology] is incredible in every respect and [power] deliveries are 10-fold from what they were two years ago.”