Mercy Health has completed one of the largest solar energy rollout programs in Australia’s aged care sector, with rooftop solar systems now installed across 24 residential aged care homes nationwide.
The milestone marks the completion of the organisation’s multi-year Healthy Ageing Solar Rooftop Program, a key initiative under Mercy Health’s Caring for People and Planet Strategy: Our Path Forward 2026–2028, which aims to support healthier communities through sustainable healthcare and aged care services.
The project is expected to generate approximately 1,802 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, reduce carbon emissions by around 1,335 tonnes each year and deliver about $270,000 in annual energy savings.
Mercy Health Executive Director Transformation & Improvement and lead for the organisation’s sustainability strategy, Simon Craig, said the initiative reflected the increasing need for health and aged care providers to address the impacts of climate change.
“Older Australians are among those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including extreme heat and severe weather events,” Mr Craig said.
“For organisations like Mercy Health, sustainability is not only an environmental responsibility but increasingly a health and care imperative.
“The decisions we make today about infrastructure and energy use will help shape the health and well-being of the communities we serve into the future.
“By investing in renewable energy, we’re strengthening the resilience of our services while contributing to a healthier environment for current and future generations,” he added.
Since launching in 2020, the solar program has been delivered in three phases. The most recent stage involved the installation of 2,728 solar panels across 12 residential aged care homes, adding 1.364 megawatts of generation capacity.
With Phase 3 nearing completion, solar generation capacity has now been expanded across Mercy Health’s 24 existing residential aged care homes nationwide. Renewable energy infrastructure has also been incorporated into newer developments, including Mercy Place Mentone, with future projects such as Mercy Place Edgewater in Western Australia and the Rosebud Precinct Redevelopment in Victoria expected to feature solar technology.
Mercy Health Chief Executive, Healthy Ageing Gavin Young said the project demonstrated how aged care providers could balance sustainability objectives with financial responsibility.
“Aged care providers are facing rising costs across every aspect of their operations, including utilities and infrastructure,” Mr Young said.
“Projects like this help us manage those pressures responsibly, reducing expenditure on energy while ensuring more resources can be directed towards the care, comfort and wellbeing of our residents.
“This initiative demonstrates that environmental sustainability and good financial stewardship can go hand in hand, helping us build stronger and more sustainable services for the future.”
According to Mercy Health, the emissions reduction achieved through the solar rollout is equivalent to removing more than 290 passenger vehicles from Australian roads each year, while helping the organisation build more resilient and sustainable aged care services for the future.
