Victorian Aboriginal Health Service

Powering Critical Community Health with Sustainable Solar

Industry: Agriculture

System Size: 99.7kw Solar System | 48 kwh Battery

Meeting Sustainability Goals & Reducing Costs for Essential Health Services

The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS), a cornerstone of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), provides vital health and wellbeing services to over 65,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Victoria. To align with crucial Federal and Victorian sustainability targets, and to alleviate the burden of high electricity costs at its busy Preston site, VAHS sought to implement a robust solar solution.


Their goal was to reliably power essential medical devices, comprehensive security systems, and critical IT infrastructure. Following a comprehensive VACCHO study that identified five key buildings suitable for rooftop solar, the Preston facility was prioritised.


AVT Solar, a division of AVTech Group and a trusted ICT partner for over 15 years, successfully won the competitive tender, thanks to our commitment to quality equipment, competitive pricing, and our proven track record of exceptional after-sales support.

The Challenge

Installing solar at a critical community health service presented several unique implementation challenges:


  • Maintaining Critical Operations: The absolute paramount consideration was ensuring the installation caused no disruption whatsoever to VAHS's vital medical consultations, treatment services, and essential IT functions.


  • Challenging Site Logistics: The three-level building, situated amidst high-traffic areas, presented limited working space, demanding meticulous planning and careful execution from our team.



  • Adhering to Sustainability Standards: The entire solar system had to be meticulously designed and installed to not only meet but exceed the strict environmental goals and sustainability standards set by both VAHS and governmental bodies.

The Solution

AVT Solar successfully designed and installed a powerful 99.7 kW solar system, complemented by a 48 kWh battery, at the VAHS Preston facility.

The Result

The impact has been significant and far-reaching:


  • Substantial Cost Savings: Electricity costs have been reduced by an impressive ~40%, delivering an excellent 4.5-year payback period on their investment.


  • Enhanced Resilience: The integrated battery provides essential backup power, ensuring the continuous operation of critical medical and IT systems, bolstering the service's reliability.


  • Driving Sustainability: This solar initiative profoundly supports VAHS's overarching sustainability mission, contributing to a greener future for the community.



Following the resounding success of this project, an identical solar and battery setup is already planned for the VAHS Fitzroy site, scheduled for installation in August 2025, further solidifying their commitment to sustainable, reliable energy.

Empowering Community Resilience through Sustainable Energy

Masterfully navigating a high-traffic, multi-level site, AVT Solar was able to empower VAHS's invaluable health services with a state-of-the-art sustainable energy solution. This project stands as a powerful testament to strengthening Aboriginal community resilience through reliable, clean power for critical services.