Yallambee Traralgon: Aged Care Village Reduces Energy Costs and Carbon Footprint with 276-kW Solar VEEC Project

Case-study summary

This historical case study records the project, delivery approach and reported results behind Yallambee Traralgon: Aged Care Village Reduces Energy Costs and Carbon Footprint with 276-kW Solar VEEC Project. It has been reorganised for clearer reading and linked to current Northmore Gordon guidance so the project evidence can be used without treating an earlier result as a present-day quote.

Evidence note: The source page is dated December 4, 2024. Figures, scheme names, equipment assumptions and client circumstances belong to that project period. Opportunities, targets and forecasts remain distinct from implemented or verified outcomes, and current eligibility should be checked before using the case as a new-project benchmark.

Project record

About the client

Yallambee Traralgon Village for the Aged Inc has provided aged care services since 1971 with the construction of the Retirement Village Units. This was followed by the opening of the Margery Cole Hostel in 1975.

What was the project?

Yallambee Traralgon Village for the Aged Inc faced rising energy costs and aimed to reduce their carbon footprint. The site sought to implement a sustainable energy solution to lower operational expenses and promote environmental stewardship. To achieve this, they implemented a 276-kW solar VEEC

The facts

The challenges

What were the outcomes?

What were the benefits?

Northmore Gordon’s role

Yallambee Traralgon Village for the Aged Inc decision to partner with Northmore Gordon for their solar VEEC project exemplifies the benefits of expert guidance in energy efficiency initiatives. Through the precise application of the M&V method and comprehensive project management, Yallambee Traralgon Village for the Aged Inc were able to achieve their sustainability and financial goals.

A not-for-profit organisation in Traralgon, Victoria, providing quality residential aged care, independent living, and community support services since 1971.

Using the results for a new project

Start with the site's current operating profile, asset condition and business objective. Define the baseline, project boundary, variables that affect energy use and the evidence available before selecting a technology or incentive pathway. This makes the comparison auditable and keeps physical savings separate from grants, certificate revenue and other financial benefits.

For a comparable project, confirm current program rules and product requirements, document installation and commissioning, and plan post-project measurement early. Historical results can show what was possible in one setting, but they do not establish current eligibility, pricing, payback or emissions outcomes.

What is Yallambee Traralgon Village for the Aged Inc and what services does it provide?

Yallambee Traralgon Village for the Aged Inc is a not-for-profit organisation in Traralgon, Victoria, established in 1971. It provides residential aged care, independent living units, and community support services. The organisation began with construction of Retirement Village Units in 1971, followed by the Margery Cole Hostel in 1975. As an aged-care provider, Yallambee operates a facility-intensive business with significant energy demands from heating, cooling, hot water and lighting across multiple residential and care areas, making energy efficiency and cost management critical operational concerns.

Why did Yallambee Traralgon decide to pursue a solar energy project?

Rising energy costs and the need to reduce carbon footprint were the primary drivers for Yallambee Traralgon to implement the solar project. As a not-for-profit organisation serving vulnerable residents, managing operational costs directly affects the quality and affordability of care services. By reducing electricity consumption through solar generation, the organisation could lower energy bills and improve financial sustainability while simultaneously advancing environmental responsibility—a concern aligned with community expectations for aged-care providers. The project also created an opportunity to generate revenue through Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates.

What was the scale and performance of the 276 kW solar system installed at Yallambee Traralgon?

We helped implement a 276 kW solar photovoltaic system at Yallambee Traralgon. In 2023, the system generated 344 MWh of solar electricity. The project achieved approximately 38% annual energy savings and generated an annual savings outcome of 269 MWh. Over a 10-year period, the renewable energy produced by the system avoided 2,253 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. These measurable outcomes demonstrate how a well-designed solar installation can significantly reduce a facility's grid-dependent consumption while generating verified environmental and financial benefits.

How did Northmore Gordon apply Measurement and Verification to the Yallambee Traralgon solar project?

We used the Measurement and Verification (M&V) method to assess the solar project's actual performance against a defined baseline. M&V compares pre- and post-installation energy consumption to quantify verified savings by establishing what electricity use would have been without the solar system. However, during the project's operating period, Yallambee Traralgon installed additional electrical appliances that altered the site's baseline conditions. To accommodate this operational change, we shifted to a Virtual Solar Switch M&V method, which required active monitoring of solar portal data to ensure accurate recording. This approach demonstrates how M&V must adapt when real-world operating conditions diverge from initial assumptions.

What value did Yallambee Traralgon receive from Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates?

Yallambee Traralgon's 276 kW solar project generated VEECs valued at $125,000. Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates are created by accredited providers for eligible activities under the Victorian Energy Upgrades scheme. The certificate proceeds significantly improved the project's financial economics by reducing the net investment required and accelerating payback. For a not-for-profit aged-care provider with capital budget constraints, this incentive was material to project viability. VEEC value depends on eligibility verification, certificate quantity calculation, and market conditions at the time of sale, which is why establishing the correct measurement approach early—as we did—is essential to capturing the full financial benefit.

What operational and data challenges did Northmore Gordon need to manage during the Yallambee Traralgon project?

M&V methodologies have strict requirements around data completeness and consistency. When Yallambee Traralgon added new electrical loads during the project's operating period, this changed the facility's baseline conditions in ways that could obscure the solar system's true contribution to energy reduction. We addressed this challenge by actively monitoring the solar generation portal and ensuring data quality throughout the measurement period. The Virtual Solar Switch approach created a more refined boundary between existing facility consumption and new loads, allowing M&V to isolate the solar system's performance. This hands-on data management demonstrates why measurement and verification requires ongoing attention, not just initial calculation.

What were the key financial and environmental outcomes of the Yallambee Traralgon solar project?

The project delivered multiple quantifiable outcomes: 344 MWh annual solar generation, 269 MWh annual energy savings, $125,000 in VEEC proceeds, and 2,253 tonnes of avoided CO₂ emissions over ten years. For an aged-care provider, these benefits translate to lower operating costs, reduced exposure to electricity price volatility, and demonstrated environmental stewardship. The 38% annual energy reduction significantly improved facility energy efficiency performance. These outcomes are more than abstract environmental claims; they represent real cost savings that can be reinvested in care quality and tangible carbon reduction that strengthens the organisation's reputation with residents, families, staff and the community.

How can other aged-care and community organisations learn from Yallambee Traralgon's solar project?

Yallambee Traralgon's experience provides a practical template for mission-driven not-for-profit organisations facing rising energy costs. The project demonstrates that solar investment is viable even in aged-care settings where operational stability and resident comfort cannot be compromised. Our involvement shows the value of expert measurement planning, baseline selection, and adaptive M&V approaches when real operational changes occur. Other organisations should consider: documenting existing energy consumption thoroughly before major operational changes; engaging a measurement specialist early to design a robust baseline; and investigating Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates or equivalent incentives specific to their state and sector. We can provide similar energy audits, feasibility assessment, M&V planning and certificate support for comparable projects.

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