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There are an increasing number of Bright Sparks in the rural sector who have figured out that there is money to be saved and emissions to be reduced by embracing solar. Aidan Bichan from Kaiwaiwai Dairies in South Wairarapa realised that earlier than most.
In 2021, the team installed a 54 kW ground-mounted solar PV system. That's 144 panels and it saves them about $15,000 per year on energy.
There's room for more, but he's also looking at putting panels on waterways, rather than covering pasture. That's better for the environment and better for the farm's books.
Political Power has gone local! Dr Nick Smith, mayor of Nelson and ex-National Party minister, is an early adopter when it comes to electric machines but, through his efforts with the council and his close involvement with the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme, he's also embracing one of Rewiring's core mantras: once you've electrified your own life, electrify someone else's life, too.
Read moreDownloadWhether it's the growing number of electric buses, new electric trains for the lower North Island and City Rail Link, or new electric ferries, we love seeing more electric transport options in our big cities. It's also good to see some of our smaller cities like Palmerston North, Timaru and Nelson going electric and, as is almost always the case, the drivers reckon it's better on electrons. At the Electrify Nelson expo, we spoke with one driver Lee about the city's electric buses. And he definitely wouldn't go back to diesel.
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