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RNZ's Eloise Gibson has taken another look at the energy sector and found there are lessons to be learned from Australia, where around one third of homes have rooftop solar. In New Zealand, the number is a lot lower, but it's growing quickly and that's largely because it makes economic sense over the long term, especially if you've electrified your appliances and vehicles. Batteries and solar combos are also becoming more common and every home with a battery basically removes themselves from the peak period. "But Mike Casey of clean energy charity Rewiring Aotearoa said battery prices were falling quickly, and combined solar and battery systems were now the cheapest source of energy available to households - even including the upfront cost of buying the equipment ... Casey said if households had better access to low-cost loans, they could buy household batteries themselves and take pressure off electricity generators by using their own power in times of shortage. They could also sell their surplus to others, taking more pressure off the grid when supply is tight."
Fringe Benefit Tax changes make EVs better more appealing by up to $7k a year; NZ Post, Kaibosh and HEB Construction and many others aren't waiting for rule changes to go electric; the share of EVs keeps growing around the world; lots more marae are 'doing a Maui' and catching the sun; a native nursery near Nelson goes electric and heats things up in a very clever way; and is petrol or electric better when you're chopping down trees?
Read moreDownloadOver 100 people turned up to a meeting in Taranaki this week to voice their opposition to the proposed LNG import terminal. And whether it was cost, emissions or safety, there were a range of concerns raised, as RNZ reported. As we have said from the start - and as a big research project that's set to be released soon confirms - there are cheaper, better ways to solve the dry year issue and LNG is too expensive to be seen as a solution to our diminishing domestic gas reserves.
Read moreDownloadNew Zealand-made energy running through electric machines is a vision more New Zealanders are getting behind because it saves us all money, reduces emissions and increases our national security. But this Budget certainly won’t get us there. It’s like everyone wants to play open running rugby, but the forwards keep knocking it on.
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