The case for energy loans: read our latest explainer
For Andrew Cranswick, operations manager at Tumu Timbers in Hastings, the calculation was pretty simple: solar costs had dropped by about a third since they last ooked at it, and power prices had gone up by about the same amount.
If something makes financial sense, he says the board will always support it. And, as they were on a fixed price for their electricity, it was clear the energy they could generate on their own roof was the cheapest energy they could get, something more homes, farms and businesses are discovering.
Working with local company Isaacs, they installed a 340kw solar array and the idea is to use as much of it as possible. The company is planning another similar sized install on another roof.
He says payback will be between 5 and 6 years and the savings will keep coming after that.
Rewiring Aotearoa is in favour of universal Road User Charges as we believe it will address an artificial market distortion for vehicles that is not in New Zealand’s economic, fuel security, or resilience interests. Here's what we told the Select Committee.
Read moreDownloadThe story of Uruguay's renewable push and why it's relevant here; EVs reach a tipping point in the EU, but they're growing in developing nations, too; Tauranga Crossing and Endless Energy go vertical with a new solar install; new research shows panels keep on trucking far past their warranty periods; and if you need a hand getting out on the waves, how about getting your own electric towing machine.
Read moreDownloadOur Political Power series aims to show that going electric is good for everyone, no matter where you sit on the political sprectrum. Whether you're looking to lower costs, reduce emissions or increase resilience, it increasingly makes sense at an individual, community and country level and ACT's Todd Stephenson, who bought an electric Jeep around one year ago and built his new home in Queenstown to run on electrons, is a good example of that.
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