Red Fish Restaurant: Solar That Pays Its Own Loan

Who They Are

A Cannonvale Favourite With Hungry Equipment

Located in the heart of Cannonvale, Red Fish Restaurant has become a local favourite for its authentic flavours, relaxed atmosphere, and commitment to quality dining experiences. Like many hospitality businesses, Red Fish faces significant energy demands, from refrigeration and cooking equipment to lighting and air-conditioning, running a busy restaurant requires a constant and reliable energy supply.

The Problem

$2,600 A Month, And A Tiled Roof

Before contacting Green Energy Technologies, Red Fish was facing energy bills of over $2,600 a month, a major financial strain for a small business in the competitive hospitality industry.

Adding to the complexity was the fact that the restaurant’s roof was tiled. Installing solar on tiled roofs can bring additional challenges compared to standard metal roofs, as tiles can be more fragile and require extra care to avoid breakages during installation. Despite these added considerations, Green Energy Technologies was able to design and install a system that not only worked seamlessly with the tiled roof but also maximised solar production for the site.

The Solution

The Solar Green Loan: $0 Upfront

Red Fish partnered with Green Energy Technologies to install a 26.4kW solar power system designed to cover a significant portion of the restaurant’s energy needs. Instead of a large upfront cost, a solar green loan allowed the restaurant to pay off the system in manageable monthly repayments.

Here’s how it worked: the solar system saves $500 per month on energy bills; the loan repayment costs $500 per month for the first five years; once the loan is fully repaid in just five years, the savings jump to over $1,000 per month for the lifetime of the system. This approach allowed Red Fish to go solar with no upfront investment while achieving immediate energy savings from day one.

The Outcome

$12,000 A Year Once The Loan Clears

With energy bills reduced by $500 per month, Red Fish is enjoying the financial benefits of solar power while maintaining consistent, reliable energy for daily operations. In five years, when the solar green loan is fully repaid, the restaurant will save over $12,000 a year.

The GET360 Guarantee gives Red Fish peace of mind with ongoing local support for the life of the system, system servicing, and 24/7 solar monitoring, so the team can focus on serving great food to the Whitsundays community.