Operation Laser Kiwi: help us take New Zealand-made energy on the road
Rewiring Aotearoa's Mike Casey has plenty of fans, but the electric ones on his orchard are definitely the biggest. EECA's Technology Demonstration Fund helped Forest Lodge import and install two electric frost fighting fans in 2020 and, as the case study says, "the company has saved thousands on energy bills and significantly reduced its carbon emissions. These successes have been achieved without sacrificing frost-fighting performance". You might not need your own frost fighting fans, but electric equivalents - from hot water heat pumps to electric vehicles - are now cheaper to run and better for the environment.
Read moreDownload the document hereTe Pāti Māori has announced its energy policy, which it hopes will lower power costs for whānau and reduce New Zealand’s dependency on fossil fuels. The policy's centrepiece is an energy sovereignty fund, which will see Te Pāti Māori establish a $1 billion fund to “build Māori and community ownership of the energy system”.
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.
