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Electrify Wānaka group secretary Pierre Marasti knows all about the economic benefits of electric homes because he's been living in one for a few years and he and the team of volunteers have been sharing that knowledge far and wide. "Our focus is on the cost of living, and we do not think that enough people realise that electrifying everything is the cheapest way forward for everyone in New Zealand." Upfront costs remain the biggest barrier but, as Mike Casey explained to the Otago Daily Times, that might be about to change because the Queenstown Lakes District Council has decided to support the proposed Ratepayer Assistance Scheme alongside a number of other councils.
As Casey said: "By doing lower interest finance over a much longer period of time, we actually put our households in a position where they can save money from day one by doing these [electric] upgrades."
As rates continue to climb, this is something councils can do to help reduce the cost of living for residents.
And find out more about the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme here.
New South Wales gets the memo about the importance of finance and announces scheme offering zero interest loans to households to upgrade to electric stuff; plug-in solar gets the tick of approval to go on sale in the UK soon and the New York Times says it could 'change America'; EVolocity takes electrification to the streets to gets the kids inspired (and eventually employed); a tour of the amazing recycling business Redwood Materials; Think Solar and BYD give it away now; and a skit that cuts close to the bone for many solar dads.
Read moreDownloadAdvances in technology and falling costs mean customer-owned solar and batteries can play a critical role in New Zealand’s energy infrastructure - improving affordability, resilience and sustainability. Multiple trading relationships (MTR) and peer-to-peer trading would enable this potential by increasing competition, customer choice, and innovation in the electricity market, unlocking greater consumer benefits from customer solar and batteries.
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