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Solar is already cheap and an increasing number of farmers are discovering that, but Mattt Luscombe has found a way to make it even cheaper. The founder of FarmGen says architects like steel, but engineers like efficiency and taking steel out of the build and instead relying on ground anchors means the owners get more generation for less outlay.
His 1.4 megawatt system has 4000 panels set up at lower angles to reduce shade impact. This is about twice the number a typical system in that space would fit.
Because it's modular and has pre-set sizes, his team can install these systems a lot faster than the traditional approach. That saves money as well and it ends up being about half the cost of a domestic rooftop installation.
Farmers often have unused or unproductive chunks of land where these systems can sit. And while Rewiring was pleased to see more support and demonstration grants from EECA for farmers looking to get solar and batteries, plenty of keen farmers missed out. As a way to help them get what they want, Luscombe says he will match those deals.
When farmers go solar, they start to look at other ways of using the cheap, clean energy they're creating. And that's when we'll start to see more electric machines on farm.
As gas supplies decline and prices rise, electrification is the best bet, but it's hard for big businesses without government support. Kirsty Johnston talks to Rainbow Nurseries about how it made the switch with help from a grant, and others who are unsure they will be able to keep getting gas. As one busines owner said: "We never considered the risk to the business of not actually having natural gas," one participant said. "We always expect that the price could fluctuate… But we never anticipated maybe having no gas coming from the pipeline." There are ways for the Government to help. And there is a huge amount of new renewable electricity coming on stream, so there won't be a shortage of electrons.
Read moreDownloadMarc Daalder reports on Vector's declining gas network and how it is responding to falling customer numbers. As he writes: "Gas in Auckland is formally past its peak in the latest forecasts from Vector, the city’s only gas distribution business, with new connections set to fall to zero in three years ... From 2029, there would be no new residential or commercial connections – with new industrial connections projected to have already ceased this year."
Read moreDownload'I'm a bogan and I have no problem with the bastardisation of motor vehicles. You can stick whatever motor you like into whatever else you like.' Antz Davies, you are a true boganic Bright Spark and we salute you because it's the bogans that we need to be convincing! Davies is the main brain behind Watt Rods, a Lower Hutt company that converts old cars to electric. "Any and all vehicles, old or new, four wheels or two, big or small, on road or off, fully customised to your requirements."
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