According to a Victorian company Eric Jones Stairbuilding, switching to solar power has seen their electricity bills and carbon footprint reduced significantly.

The company, which specialise in staircases and balustrading, installed solar systems at two of its five factories last October and its electricity bills since reveal substantial cost savings.

Managing Director of Eric Jones Stairbuilding explained that the company’s decision to install a cleaner energy source has provided a way to manage power bills and reduce its production costs.

“Installing two 30 kilowatt systems to 1400 square metres of roof space to power both factories now sees one factory receiving a cheque from its energy retailer and the other has significantly reduced bills,” he said.

Mr Auld believes that reduced power bills will save the company tens of thousands in the future and will safeguard it from future price rises.

He said that at a time when energy prices were rising, the company had certainty of its costs, which was good for the business's bottom-line and ultimately would benefit its clients.

Mark Tuke Chief Executive Officer of Sun Connect, the company responsible for installing both of Eric Jones Stairbuilding’s factory solar power installations, said that research from peak industry bodies shows commercial solar power is at the beginning of a steep growth curve in Australia.

“The fact that energy costs in Australia have increased by multiples over CPI in recent years, is a catalyst for many companies to move to renewable energy sources, such as solar, that are now looking like more cost-feasible long-term energy sources," he said.

“Renewable energy in the commercial sector provides businesses with an ability to take ownership of their own energy supply, for the first time ever, and take control their costs."

“The more electricity a company can generate from their own source the more they are insured against inflationary pressures,” explained Mr Tuke.

“Solar energy is better for our business, our customers and the environment - it’s not a hard decision to install commercial-scale solar power,” added Mr Auld.