Renewable electricity is produced from renewable resources such as solar, wind and hydro. It does not involve the burning of fossil fuels.
What are the benefits for my business?
Join the rush of businesses turning to renewable electricity. Benefits include:
- Lower power prices
- Long term price certainty
- Taking control of power supply through generating power on-site
- Supporting projects to create new renewable generation
- Supporting sustainability goals and promotion of your business
Make the move to procure renewable electricity for your business, either through rooftop solar to reduce electricity bills, purchasing large scale renewable generation certificates (LGC’s) in the market or signing a renewable power purchase agreement to drive new renewables generation and displacement of fossil fuels from the grid.
Renewable electricity is a constantly evolving space. The list of options below is not definitive but may assist you in working out the best option. The technology improvements and mass take up is also bringing costs down, many things that weren’t viable two years ago are viable now or will be shortly.
On-site generation for Yarra businesses
Solar
Rooftop solar is a great way to reduce your energy bills whilst also reducing your carbon footprint. If you are renting talk to your landlord about the potential for solar.
Contact Solar Savers for free advice and a trustworthy quote for solar for your business. Yarra Council has partnered with Solar Savers, a not-for-profit organisation, to make solar easier, more affordable and more reliable for businesses.
Try the free SunSPOT solar calculator to find the sunniest spots for solar on your roof and see your estimated savings.
For inspiration we have a series of local business who have installed solar and their case studies:
Renewable electricity is produced from renewable resources such as solar, wind and hydro. It does not involve the burning of fossil fuels.
What are the benefits for my business?
Join the rush of businesses turning to renewable electricity. Benefits include:
- Lower power prices
- Long term price certainty
- Taking control of power supply through generating power on-site
- Supporting projects to create new renewable generation
- Supporting sustainability goals and promotion of your business
Make the move to procure renewable electricity for your business, either through rooftop solar to reduce electricity bills, purchasing large scale renewable generation certificates (LGC’s) in the market or signing a renewable power purchase agreement to drive new renewables generation and displacement of fossil fuels from the grid.
Renewable electricity is a constantly evolving space. The list of options below is not definitive but may assist you in working out the best option. The technology improvements and mass take up is also bringing costs down, many things that weren’t viable two years ago are viable now or will be shortly.
On-site generation for Yarra businesses
Solar
Rooftop solar is a great way to reduce your energy bills whilst also reducing your carbon footprint. If you are renting talk to your landlord about the potential for solar.
Contact Solar Savers for free advice and a trustworthy quote for solar for your business. Yarra Council has partnered with Solar Savers, a not-for-profit organisation, to make solar easier, more affordable and more reliable for businesses.
Try the free SunSPOT solar calculator to find the sunniest spots for solar on your roof and see your estimated savings.
For inspiration we have a series of local business who have installed solar and their case studies:
If you are unsure if you can install solar at your premises, you can email [email protected] to discuss your options.
Batteries
Smart grid connected battery storage technology is developing rapidly, as are the uses for commercial batteries. If this is of interest please speak with an electricity advisor, such as Yarra Energy Foundation, about what would work best for you.
The University of Queensland Battery Trial is demonstrating that combined with appropriate generation and wholesale market contracts, the economics of batteries could be appealing for your business.
The Clean Energy Council has a list of installers and approved batteries.
Off-site generation for Yarra businesses
Signing up to a renewable electricity retailer offer
Many retailers offer an option to purchase a certain percentage of renewable electricity within their standard mix of electricity plans.
GreenPower is an Australian Government renewable electricity accreditation scheme that is regarded as the most reputable source of renewable electricity. Most electricity retailers offer accredited GreenPower.
When you choose GreenPower your electricity retailer purchases the equivalent amount of renewable electricity.
You pay a premium for the electricity you buy as GreenPower. This premium, along with the wholesale electricity cost of the electricity you use, goes toward investment in renewable electricity.
You can compare contracts and offers at Victorian Energy Compare.
Joining a group buy for renewable electricity
Yarra City council is leading the Business Renewables Buying Group to enable large electricity market participants to join together and sign a long term renewable electricity agreement. The increased scale of joining the group enables greater bargaining power, cost sharing and knowledge sharing to make the whole process easier, more affordable and suitable for more businesses.
Purchasing Renewable Generation Certificates (LGC’s)
LGC’s are readily available for purchase on the Australian Electricity market. LGC are generated when a large-scale renewable generator produces a megawatt of electricity for sale in the Australian market, by purchasing the LGC you pay the generator directly for the renewable electricity they have produced, this gives you ownership of the green electricity, if you then surrender the LGC’s you are considered to have Green Power to the equivalent of the volume of LGC’s you have bought.
Individual Power Purchase Agreement
Very large electricity users can enter into a stand-alone Power Purchase Agreement. The key benefit of an individual power purchase agreement is that it gives you full control of the price risk you want to take, the complexity of the deal and if you want to support construction of a new renewable generation asset. Individual power purchase agreements are generally best suited to large scale sophisticated electricity buyers.
The BRC-A has more resources for those interested in PPA’s
If you are unsure if you can install solar at your premises, you can email [email protected] to discuss your options.
Batteries
Smart grid connected battery storage technology is developing rapidly, as are the uses for commercial batteries. If this is of interest please speak with an electricity advisor, such as Yarra Energy Foundation, about what would work best for you.
The University of Queensland Battery Trial is demonstrating that combined with appropriate generation and wholesale market contracts, the economics of batteries could be appealing for your business.
The Clean Energy Council has a list of installers and approved batteries.
Off-site generation for Yarra businesses
Signing up to a renewable electricity retailer offer
Many retailers offer an option to purchase a certain percentage of renewable electricity within their standard mix of electricity plans.
GreenPower is an Australian Government renewable electricity accreditation scheme that is regarded as the most reputable source of renewable electricity. Most electricity retailers offer accredited GreenPower.
When you choose GreenPower your electricity retailer purchases the equivalent amount of renewable electricity.
You pay a premium for the electricity you buy as GreenPower. This premium, along with the wholesale electricity cost of the electricity you use, goes toward investment in renewable electricity.
You can compare contracts and offers at Victorian Energy Compare.
Joining a group buy for renewable electricity
Yarra City council is leading the Business Renewables Buying Group to enable large electricity market participants to join together and sign a long term renewable electricity agreement. The increased scale of joining the group enables greater bargaining power, cost sharing and knowledge sharing to make the whole process easier, more affordable and suitable for more businesses.
Purchasing Renewable Generation Certificates (LGC’s)
LGC’s are readily available for purchase on the Australian Electricity market. LGC are generated when a large-scale renewable generator produces a megawatt of electricity for sale in the Australian market, by purchasing the LGC you pay the generator directly for the renewable electricity they have produced, this gives you ownership of the green electricity, if you then surrender the LGC’s you are considered to have Green Power to the equivalent of the volume of LGC’s you have bought.
Individual Power Purchase Agreement
Very large electricity users can enter into a stand-alone Power Purchase Agreement. The key benefit of an individual power purchase agreement is that it gives you full control of the price risk you want to take, the complexity of the deal and if you want to support construction of a new renewable generation asset. Individual power purchase agreements are generally best suited to large scale sophisticated electricity buyers.
The BRC-A has more resources for those interested in PPA’s
