Goldcraft installs solar to beat energy crisis

Sydney embellishing house Goldcraft Embossing is now running on solar power, having placed 144 panels on its roof.

The family owned business based in Marrickville completed the 40KW installation in February and says it has already seen the impact of the move in its power bills.

Mark Steuer, director and co-owner of Goldcraft says, “We were prompted by rising energy costs. It is a fairly big investment but we intend to stay in this building for the next five years, the way it works out it will be paid off in around four to five years. We are taking steps to make our company more energy efficient.

“We have saved around 20 per cent off our last electricity bill. Right now at this time of the year, the days are getting shorter and in October through to February we will generate more energy, but even now we are finding that it is worth it.

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“We are a highly energy intensive business, with the embossing machinery constantly going. The panels cover about a fifth of our energy needs. We do not have battery storage yet, but it is not necessary, we use up all of the energy with our equipment going all day.

“I would predict that it will save roughly about 20 to 25 per cent off our power costs. The early signs are looking good.

“The business is run by two families. Myself and my partner Martin Nekuda own it, our fathers started it in 1970.”

Goldcraft is the latest company in the industry to install solar, with Excel Australasia and fellow embossing house Tafeda making the jump late last year.