In 2019, Passionate Paws Veterinary Surgery opened its doors in Pialba, Queensland with the goal of helping pet owners across the Wide Bay region access quality animal healthcare services in a fresh, modern setting.
The business has enjoyed rapid growth in its five short years, likely due to founder and veterinarian Dr Amanda Finnis’s emphasis on creating a calming space within her practice. In fact, Passionate Paws is working to become the first surgery within the Wide Bay area to be a certified “Fear Free” practice – a place where cats, dogs, turtles, snakes and even rats(!) enjoy a happy, stress-free experience with every visit.
In late 2024, Passionate Paws began the next stage of its evolution: a transition to clean energy. Just as animal welfare is central to the practice’s mission, so too is sustainability, and making the switch to solar power was a natural next step.
The solution
Passionate Paws occupies three separate shop units, all with their own roof. To maximise solar generation, commercial solar installer Adapt Energy recommended three separate solar systems ranging from 15kW to 28kW.
Project snapshot
Industry: Veterinarian
Channel Partner: Adapt Energy
Equipment details:
Roof 1 – 15.8kW
- 36x Trina solar panels
- 1x Sungrow inverter
Roof 2 – 18.5kW
- 42x Trina solar panels
- 1x Sungrow inverter
Roof 3 – 28.2kW
- 64x Trina solar panels
- 1x Sungrow inverter
Payment Plan term: 7 years
Although these systems would result in a significant reduction in energy bills, they also required a considerable upfront cost.
To overcome the cost barrier, Adapt Energy suggested a Smart Ease Payment Plan, allowing Passionate Paws to proceed with the solar installation with $0 upfront cost. Instead of paying out of pocket, the business could fund the system through manageable monthly instalments – using their energy-bill savings to cover repayments.
The win
All three systems were fully installed by October 2024. Each one is projected to be cash-flow positive, meaning the monthly energy savings exceed the cost of the repayments.
For a business in growth mode, this outcome is a clear win – freeing up capital each month to reinvest in equipment, expansion, or further improving the experience for its eclectic mix of patients.
Start a conversation with Smart Ease and find out how our Payment Plans can help you meet sustainability goals and save on energy costs.