Financing the Future of Renewable Energy: How DLL Enabled La Cántara Go Solar

Industry: Energy Transition

Meet La Cántara Artisan Cheeses: a dairy farm founded in 2019 based in Smithon, Tasmania, renowned for producing cheese, pasteurised milk, and other quality dairy products. Owner Genaro Velaquez explained the significance of their location: “This area of Tasmania produces about 50% of all milk that is produced in the state, and there are no facilities where milk is further processed”.

The Challenge: Overcoming Financial Barriers to Become More Sustainable  

Despite their role in the region’s dairy industry, La Cántara faced significant hurdles in securing financing for growth and modernisation.

One of the main challenges we have been facing is just sitting in that limbo to be considered by a big bank. You don’t have enough equity."

Genaro shared, highlighting the common struggle for agribusinesses seeking to expand. "Trying to find the solutions... to bring a business to a level where you can be considered by some of these financial institutions." 

For three years, La Cántara had aspired to install a solar panel system to mitigate rising electricity costs and enhance sustainability for his dairy farm. However, the substantial upfront capital outlay made it a challenging prospect. “If it didn’t help our cash flow, we wouldn’t consider it,” Genaro stated, emphasising the need for financially viable solutions.

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DLL & Rabobank: A Seamless Partnership for Energy Transition

As an existing Rabobank customer, La Cántara’s vision for renewable energy presented a natural opportunity for collaboration within the broader Rabobank Group. As a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of the global Rabobank Group, DLL shares a deep passion for Australian agriculture and is strategically focused on supporting the renewable energy sector across the entire supply chain.

“DLL’s strategically focused on renewable energy and we cover the entire energy supply chain”, John Feenan, Energy Transition Commercial Manager, Asia Pacific explained. “We can provide [finance] solutions like we have with Genaro, that he doesn’t have to pay capital upfront. He can put that on a finance solution, on a monthly repayment scheme, so that allows him to deploy his capital in a more effective way.”

Leveraging Rabobank’s strong agricultural experience and global knowledge, the DLL Energy Transition team in APAC stepped in to provide a tailored financial solution. We bring all of that knowledge together in each of the different markets to really optimise what is the best solution for farmers in those regions”, said John. 

Delivering Results: Financial Savings and More Sustainable Practices

With DLL’s support, La Cántara installed a robust solar panel system consisting of 108 panels and a 50-kilowatt inverter. This investment quickly began to yield significant returns for the dairy farm. Beyond the immediate offset of electricity consumption due to rising prices, the shift also supports more sustainable energy use.This initiative aligns with Genaro’s personal commitment to sustainability: 

It’s his passion to reduce his carbon footprint and to create a product, his cheeses, which can have recognition that they’ve been produced literally with energy produced on his own farm."

A Green Leap Forward: How Financing Accelerates Energy Transition

The experience with DLL was notably positive for La Cántara. “Our experience with DLL has been fantastic. It was a hassle-free experience”, Genaro affirmed.  

As more individuals see the benefits of renewable energy – both for the environment and for their bottom line, we may see more businesses getting on board. 

The DLL- La Cántara partnership is a prime example of how integrated financial solutions can empower agricultural businesses to overcome challenges, embrace innovation, and contribute to a more sustainable future. By addressing the critical need for accessible renewable energy financing, DLL is not just facilitating business growth but actively fostering a sustainable, more resilient future. 

If you also want to work with us and see how we can accelerate your energy transition goals, please reach out to us! 

Disclaimer: Finance is provided by De Lage Landen Pty Limited (ABN 20 101 692 040) (DLL). Equipment to be used for business purposes only. Subject to DLL’s standard credit criteria, fees and terms and conditions apply.