The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
Labour has joined the solar election policy contest, offering subsidies and two new loan schemes to remove the upfront cost of installing solar.
The SolarSaver policy package has some similarities to what National has also announced, with both parties proposing a new loan scheme secured against applicants' properties.
Like National's policy, Labour's Ratepayer Assistance Scheme would offer long-term, low-interest loans, and repaid through rates. Local Government New Zealand and Rewiring Aotearoa have both been calling for such a scheme.
Watch a livestream of the announcement below:
In addition, Labour has proposed loans through lines companies, underwritten by the Crown, and paid back through power bills.
It would also offer $3000 kickstart subsidies for low and middle-income families, and set up a community battery fund to help neighbourhoods store power and share the savings across households.
Renters would also be able to access the kickstart subsidy to cover the cost of plug-in solar, with Labour saying it would fix the regulations to make plug-in solar more accessible.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the policy would remove the upfront cost that prevented many families from accessing solar.
"Renewable energy is the cheapest form of electricity available, but too many households are locked out by the initial cost. SolarSaver creates a simple one-stop shop, provides affordable finance, helps renters access solar for the first time, and offers targeted grants for families who need extra support," he said.
The party has costed the package at $160 million over four years, funded by repurposing the Gas Security Fund.
Of that, $22m would go towards further support for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, which applicants would use as a one-stop shop to help them decide what type of solar, and what finance scheme, best suited them.
Labour expected the subsidies, loan schemes, and EECA support would be up and running within twelve months of taking office.
Last month, National announced its election solar policy, which would also allow property owners to access low-interest loans, secured against their property, and repaid through rates.
National's Home Energy Fund, which the party said was a narrower version of the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme, would be jointly owned by central and local government, with the Crown putting in a $7 million equity investment for a 20 percent shareholding in the new entity.
The party would also allow people to install solar without the need for council consent.
National expected 80,000 people would take up its scheme over 15 years.
While National's policy document did not mention plug-in solar, energy minister Simeon Brown posted on social media on Tuesday that "work is underway" to develop plug-in solar standards.
'Twas the night before Chris-mas, and all through the house, all the voters were stirring, the pundits showing their nous … the election will soon be over, but the energy crisis won't, so we'll be there to pester whoever is in power about the need to run more of the economy on New Zealand-made energy; can Ethiopia's aggressive push for EVs work and how does New Zealand compare in terms of adoption rates?; a two-way charging trial from Genesis shows promise in Auckland, but there's still a way to go before it's mainstream; small electric vehicles are often overlooked when it comes to electrifying transport, but it's hard to miss this weird French one; a solar-powered cafe (and some electric coffee); and we endorse the political vandalism of Keith of All Trades.
Read moreDownloadPoliticians are being urged to adopt stronger electric vehicle incentives ahead of the election. Climate and energy advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa is arguing that EVs are one of the most effective long-term solutions for rising transport and energy costs. They're promoting an EV Salary Boost proposal, which would allow workers to access EVs through pre-tax salary arrangements – similarly to already existing schemes in the UK and Australia. Policy and Government Relations Spokesperson Ngaio Neumegen told Kerre Woodham that even with the rising cost of power, it's still cheaper to run an EV than a car running on imported fuel.
A proposal that would let New Zealanders lease an electric car using their before-tax pay has not won a commitment from either National or Labour, with the 7 November election days away. Under the EV Salary Boost, put forward by Rewiring Aotearoa and Drive Electric, an employee would lease a new or used EV for three to five years. The payments would come out of their pay before tax, lowering the cost of running the car. The idea is based on Australia’s novated leasing system, though the groups say they are not proposing a direct copy.
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