Operation Laser Kiwi: help us take New Zealand-made energy on the road
The Vatican is aiming to be the first solar-powered 'nation' and, as solar advocate Bill McKibben likes to say, there are plenty of churches around the world generating energy from heaven rather than hell. One of them is the Discovery Christian Centre in Hamilton East, which has 48 panels on its roof.
As Stephanie Chernishov says, "it seems like a huge amount" but, like a growing number of other organisations with large roofs and increasing electricity bills, it just makes sense.
The community centre next door also has panels and a battery and it's hoping to operate as a resilience hub when the power goes out.
It even operates a scheme called Equigen, where excess power from their solar is credited to the community centre.
"When they have people coming in for food parcels and budgeting and they're really stuck with their power bills they can credit a little bit back to help them along."
People installing solar power systems with batteries on their homes, hoping to avoid the disruption of a power cut, are being told to check with the installer that the battery can provide that protection.
Read moreDownloadKiwis are catching on to the benefits of solar panels - and demand's spiking ... But the industry warns we need about six thousand more trained electricians - across the country - to do the work. Rewiring Aotearoa Chief Executive, Mike Casey told Heather du Plessis-Allan he hopes interest will continue over time. He says oil shortages because of the Iran war is keeping demand high - with energy prices climbing. He says solar is the one reprieve Kiwis get.
Roger Robson-Williams owns 20% of New Zealand's electric tractor fleet. That sounds impressive, until you learn there are only five of them. But, like his fellow electric tractor enthusiast Mike Casey, he's on a mission to change that by providing a bit of inspiration and information.
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