Mike Casey talks to Ben Chapman-Smith about how Kiwi farmers can get started on their electric journey and move away from diesel-driven machinery, while also outlining a few requests for Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay that would make on-farm solar even more beneficial.
Our guest in this episode is Mike Casey, CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, who’s here to talk about the huge opportunities for New Zealand farmers to save money and reduce emissions by electrifying their farms.
Mike's seen these opportunities first-hand. He’s the founder of Forest Lodge Orchard, growing cherries with only renewable electricity. He’s installed solar panels and batteries, and electrified all the machines on his farm, showing how the move away from diesel can save tens of thousands each year and significantly lower emissions.
He’s now on a mission to show that what he’s done on his property is possible for other farmers too.
Hear Mike explain how Kiwi farmers can get started on their electric journey, with practical advice for how to install solar and move away from diesel-driven machinery.
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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