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Government's reforms unlikely to bring down cost of electricity for New Zealanders, and an LNG terminal risks locking the country into a solution that will increase energy costs, reduce fuel security and create unnecessary emissions.

Old Man Gas was in for a bit of a shock last week. There he was, reminiscing about the good old days, when news about a report from EECA about the dangers of burning gas indoors came through on his state-of-the-art fax machine. 'Over 200 premature deaths isn't that many deaths, is it?' said Old Man Gas. 'Didn't they know they should just crack a window? And can you really put a price on the joy of being in the presence of that beautiful flame?' When he discovered that someone had actually put a price on it and gas cooktops cost the country $3.3 billion due to hospitalisations and lost productivity, he said: 'Well, $3.3 billion isn't that much, is it?'

Vessev has been turning heads with its beautiful electric hydrofoiling boats in New Zealand and it will soon be turning heads in Northern Ireland as it has just received its first international order for an 11-person VS-9 from an eco tourism resort.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters told the UN we're in a climate battle we can't possibly win because four countries are the world's biggest emitters. Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey says electrification is a win-win that improves New Zealand's productivity and reduces emissions and we could be a demonstration project for other small countries around the world, which collectively contrbute a lot to the global tally.

Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey writes in Build Magazine about the role electrification and rooftop solar can play in energy efficiency. "While this transition increases electricity use, it can reduce overall household energy consumption by up to 70% – a far greater efficiency gain than measures like insulation and sealing, which have long been the focus of energy-efficiency efforts. While thermal envelope upgrades remain important, electrification offers a better return on investment for households. This goes against conventional wisdom, but it’s due to the price drops in solar, heat pumps and electric vehicles."

Big report lays out the massive opportunities for electric cars and trucks to provide power for homes or the grid and earn owners money; Lake Wakatipu could be getting some electric ferries; large trucks are increasingly going electric as hydrogen remains tiny; Hannah Ritchie clears the air with her new book; Transpower prepares for another 40,000 kettles on Saturday night; and some coal-based innovation on the West Coast.

A survey for Westpac shows nearly half of respondents were considering solar and cutting their power bill was the main motivator.

Local research from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has provided yet more evidence that burning gas in the home harms our families and Rewiring Aotearoa says it’s about time more was done to help New Zealanders upgrade to healthier electric equivalents that will also reduce their bills.

There's plenty of international evidence to show that burning gas inside the home has serious health implications Now there's some local research to back that up, with EECA's study linking "pollution from gas stoves with the premature deaths of hundreds of New Zealanders every year, and a larger number of childhood asthma cases."

The Crutchley family has been turning sunlight into food and fibre on their Maniototo farm since 1939. Now, Emma Crutchley and Kyle Hagen are turning sunlight into energy. 

"It’s taken an electric tractor, a ute converted to an EV and plenty of determination, but an Otago cherry farmer believes he is the first fully electric food operation in the world." And Mike Casey says he would “die a proud old man” if he was a cherry farmer “in the most electric country in the world”.

Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey talks about the mission to electrify New Zealand so we can save money on power and reduce fossil fuel emissions; relevant to the coming energy crisis with the end of our gas reserves in sight. He also talks about the Electrify Kapiti event coming up on October 5 in Otaki.

Bordeaux is embracing solar - and modern tech means heritage issues can generally be overcome; Mainfreight welcomes two new electric trucks to its fleet in the US, while Foodstuffs North Island celebrates an electric anniversary; why the radical left and the radical right can unite on solar; Edmund Becquerel's surprise discovery; and why better technologies sometimes take a while to catch on.

We've been saying it for a while and there are a growing number of academics backing. Writing for The Conversation, Paul Hume from Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington says: "Solar power is now the cheapest form of electricity in most countries, including New Zealand, and its global uptake is growing exponentially. So far, New Zealand's adoption of solar electricity generation has been slower than elsewhere, but it is accelerating quickly. Scaling up installation could help reduce high consumer energy prices and meet New Zealand's emissions budgets."

Instead of squabbling about golf courses and gravel, Sir Ian Taylor says politicians need to focus on the solutions being developed in New Zealand right now that can reduce emissions and grow the economy. He points to Mike Casey's all-electric orchard to show that going electric is "cheaper. It’s cleaner. And it’s proof that the transition from fossil fuels to electric isn’t theoretical" and Rewiring Aotearoa's research showing that electric machines and solar makes financial sense.

"The cheapest unit of gas is the one you do not use,” EECA chief executive Marcos Pelenur said in a piece on the NZ Herald. Europe's response to severe gas shortages after the start of the Ukraine war was focused on efficiency, flexibility and heat pumps and as New Zealand deals with its own shortage, we can learn from it.

Queenstown's roads are regularly clogged and, as the region continues to grow, that's only going to get worse. But Whoosh thinks the solution could be right above our heads.

Yet more stunning stats on Australia's household battery boom after the subsidy was announced; the countries doing best on wind and solar on a per capita basis; a big report on China's energy transition looks like bad news for fossil fuels; the lower North Island is set to get the Southern Hemisphere's first battery electric trains, Samoa is set to get some electric solar catamarans, and Auckland is set to get zero-emissions deliveries from Ikea; the Shameless Plug podcast brings kitchen diplomacy to the table; and a song in the key of science from Elle Cordova.

The Pinky and Macca breakfast show host interview Mike Casey after being inspired by his presentation at the Farmers for Climate Action Summit in Canberra.

In Farmer’s Weekly, Phil Weir outlines his vision for farms - and Mike Casey and Rewiring Aotearoa get a special mention.

About 10% of New Zealand’s electricity needs could be met if 30% of farms ran larger-scale solar generation system supported by batteries, research has shown. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) said farmers could halve their energy costs while also earning income. It is seeking farmers and growers to take part in a project that involves the installation of solar and battery systems. The cost is subsidised and performance monitored. Insights are shared, particularly when it comes to battery use.

The idea of sharing excess energy with your community has long been a dream of solar and battery enthusiasts and that idea is starting to blossom. Microgrids have been proven to work in remote Australian regions; some marae in New Zealand are helping to reduce bills for people in their communities; Kāinga Ora has successfully tested the concept of solar sharing in social housing; and Bright Spark Tama Toki is attempting to bring the idea to life on his home island of Aotea / Great Barrier.

"Mike Casey has co-founded and sold two successful tech start-ups in Sydney. He runs New Zealand's first 100% electric farm and heads a national charity working to accelerate electrification. So why does this entrepreneur turned orchardist want to be a board member on little old Cromwell Community Board? In short, he wants to make sure the work he’s already been doing trickles down to directly benefit his own community, a town he says is "the best town in the world."

From solar on schools to solar in schools as Wakari and Waiheke bring energy into the classroom; electric farms get a boost and rural solar proven to have other benefits; Vessev goes global with first international order; Hutt City Council unveils a special electric rubbish truck; take a trip on the 'electric slide'; 16 solar myths debunked; and Norway's hypocrisy makes for good comedy.

Despite the abrupt closure of SolarZero, Kiwis are still backing the technology and government data analysed by Harrison's shows that total solar capacity installed reached 665 MW last month, up 43% on the same time last year, and more than double the capacity of two years ago. If that continued, the country would be on track to generate the equivalent amount of solar energy needed to power every home in the country within the next seven years. With EECA research showing solar increasingly stacks up financially, tax changes like 'investment boost', and growth in the rural and SME sectors, the sector is taking off.

Following on from the Government's announcement at Fieldays, farmers now have a helpline to call and co-funding available for solar and battery systems.

At the Farmers for Climate conference in Canberra, Mike Casey shared his electric story of bill savings and emissions reductions and, with an expansion of a loan scheme, there's an opportunity for Aussie farmers to follow suit.

There are plenty of clever cookies working on electric innovations across the motu and there aren't many cleverer than Garry Peek, the main brains behind Peek Robotics.

More electric buses are on their way and NZTA has some recommendations; the future of transport is electric, but could it also be aerial?; the green loan economy in New Zealand (and how we can grow it); a young solar star makes her mark; an older star sees solar as the most positive story of the century; and BYD claims the EV speed world record.

We’re in favour of anything that speeds up solar adoption (it’s the cheapest electricity households can get, it will help generate the extra electricity we need, and it can help replace fossil fuels in the energy system), so it was good to see another positive signal from the Government yesterday. As part of a proposed range of tax changes, income tax won’t be charged on any money gained from exporting solar from residential systems.

"Driving around New Zealand on locally-made electrons should be cheaper than driving around New Zealand on foreign-sourced molecules." And with proposed changes to the Road User Charges system, which Mike Casey discussed with RNZ's Eloise Gibson, it will be.

Solar and batteries - in homes and EVs - offer signicant resilience benefits during times of crisis and the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme can help unlock private investment.

Rewiring Aotearoa's Mike Rewi and Jay Salzke joined Tairāwhiti's Exchange Cafe podcast to talk about the role that solar, batteries and electric machines can play in bringing down bills for local households, the work they're doing on an 'electric marae' report, the role of recycling, the promise of energy sharing, and much more.

Electrification is the single biggest opportunity to improve fuel security in New Zealand and that's why we think we need a bold national energy independence plan, not just more incremental changes to our current fuel security plan.

For households, upgrading to an electric vehicle is likely to save you money over the long term (and the proposed RUCs scheme will make EVs even more economically appealing). It is also likely to have the biggest impact on your emissions. Similar benefits apply to businesses and it makes increasingly good sense as more electric machines become available and the upfront costs drop further. All these electric machines set to be put to use in New Zealand will increase demand for electricity and put pressure on our existing network. And that's where a company like Thundergrid comes in.

Batteries are helping to avoid black outs overseas and they're competing with quite big power sources in New Zealand, too; four school pools on the East Coast are now running on the sun, while massive gas bills make Hutt City Council's decision to go electric smart and Ōpuke Spa in Methven relies on solar tubes that provide the equivalent of 500 electric jugs; the story behind what the owner of The Currach on the off-grid Aotea Great Barrier Island calls world's first solar-powered Irish pub; Mint Innovation gets a big bite of the UK's mineral recycling cherry; and pain meets poetry as an electricity bill is read in the style of William Faulkner.

Electric enthusiast Gavin Shoebridge had solar installed last year and, as part of his content series with Ecotricity, he pored over his bills to figure out whether it stacks up.

We've long been advocates of more solar on schools at Rewiring Aotearoa and recent analysis by Peter and William Bisley shows the huge potential for schools to benefit while also contributing to the grid.

"A cheaper, cleaner and more cheerful alternative".

EVs can save tens of thousands over their lifetime (and proposed changes to the Road User Charges system means they'll be even cheaper in comparison to petrol options), slash emissions and are great to drive. But there are still a few lingering concerns and some stubborn myths. Consumer's Paul Fuge does some debunking.

David Gatward-Ferguson realised early that electric vehicles were a good fit for his tour business, Nomad Safaris.

Bidirectional charging starts to float down the mainstream in New Zealand; how hot water and EVs could turn cities into giant batteries; Nelson joins the smart 'n sunny club and puts some panels on public buildings; good news as China goes backwards; two new electric big rigs reach New Zealand; and a potential solution for Shotover Jet.

Pick the right power. Vote Electric!

Analysis by Rewiring Aotearoa shows that all light vehicles being subject to Road User Charges will help level the playing field for electric vehicles and stop an unfair tax advantage for petrol cars. 

Rewiring Aotearoa has been working hard to demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of electric homes with solar, and Simplicity Living, which announced today that it will spend around $500 million to build 600 long-term rental homes in Queenstown, is well and truly onboard. 

In October 2024, Chris Nelder, host of the Energy Transitions Show, visited the world’s first all-electric farm while traveling across New Zealand. He spoke with the farm’s co-owner and co-founder, Mike Casey, about the farm and the work of Rewiring Aotearoa to electrify millions of fossil fuel machines.

“We need more analysis," said pretty much every incumbent faced with a change that might affect their business and instead benefit customers. And that’s pretty much exactly what the energy incumbents said in their submissions to the Electricity Authority on decentralised energy systems.

St Heliers Presbyterian Church and Community Centre has seen the light! Jody Bews-Hair, one of the directors of the charitable company operating Community Centre facilities and project co-initiator, says installing 68 solar panels and a battery was driven by three key motivations: building community resilience, environmental sustainability, and managing rising energy costs.

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.

The big solar installs continue in New Zealand at Go Media Stadium and Ngā Hua e Whā, the largest marae in the Southern Hemisphere; rooftop solar closes in on our biggest power plants; the world's biggest battery is switched on in Australia and lots of small batteries play an important role in California; Bloomberg looks at the incorrect predictions on EV adoption and how they're wrong in both directions; it's not just the wealthy countries adopting EVs as Nepal hits 76%; GM gets the record for longest drive on a single charge; and dads like electric stuff.

Rewiring Aotearoa's Jenny Sahng explains the many benefits of going electric and running on the sun for the Superhome Movement's super solar webinar.

Does Indonesia have a returns policy? Despite plenty of talk over the years about the Huntly Power Station being switched off, yesterday the big gentailers reached an agreement to chip in for a big stack of coal so they can ensure the lights stay on if we experience another energy crunch like we did last year. ‍As Mike Casey told Ryan Bridge on Newstalk ZB, bringing in more coal is not ideal, but something had to be done in the short term to deal with our rapidly declining gas reserves. And using more solar and building more renewables and using our stockpile of water in our hydro lakes means we might not need to burn it.

One of the first community electrification groups to be established was Electrify Wānaka. From asking council for plan changes that would allow more solar to be installed (and pointing out that certain restrictions are at odds with council's climate ambitions) to setting up stands outside the supermarket to share the economic benefits of electric homes and transport, local leaders like Pierre Marasti and Lauren Fraser are helping to modernise the rules, save households money, reduce emissions and set a good example for the next generation.

"From cherry orchard to national model for electrification, Mike is turning talk into action and unlocking a cleaner, fairer, more prosperous nation where climate is an opportunity, not a cost."

Kirsty Johnston digs into the detail of the Government's repeal of the oil and gas exploration ban and asks a pertinent question: what if it doesn't work? "Forecasts say there is barely enough gas left in our existing oil and gas fields to last the decade, and even that is an optimistic guess. Demand now outstrips supply, forcing some businesses to struggle for gas, others onto 'demand management' plans requiring production shutdowns to support the electricity grid, and some to close operations entirely."

With the repeal of the oil and gas exploration ban, we're basically investing in Nokia after the iPhone was released. As Rewiring Aotearoa's Mike Casey says, gas is inefficient, it's expensive, not much has been found in New Zealand despite plenty of attempts, and what we do have is running out faster than expected. So why are we investing in an increasingly obsolete technology?

Unmanaged EV charging that occurs at network and system peaks could add unnecessary electricity infrastructure investment, increasing bills for all customers. Investment in our networks is scaled to meet peak demands and has the potential to significantly increase electricity bills over the coming decades. It is important we take action to shift demand, where it makes sense, to avoid peak demand increases. Rewiring Aotearoa is very supportive of the efforts the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment is taking to consider options to deliver a more flexible electricity system that will lower system costs for all consumers. Uptake of smart EV chargers is one way to manage peak EV demand and support a lower system cost. However we do not think there is a strong enough case to mandate that all fixed EV charging units sold in New Zealand must be smart.

New Zealand invests in the wrong tech and heads back to 2017; Aurora's doubling of the export limit and what it means for solar installs; East restaurant and Sudima Hotels embrace induction woks and get set to upgrade the rest of its gas equipment; Samuel L Jackson extols the many virtues of wind energy; Jason Gunn goes electric; and the world's first e-bike that can be charged with a laptop cord.

BusinessDesk investigates the energy sector, the role of Huntly, the lack of domestic gas and its impact on business and electricity prices. What it doesn't talk about, however, is the role that solar could play in the system to keep our lakes high and our prices low.

Rewiring Aotearoa supports the proposed changes to Multiple Trading Relationships (MTR) (allowing two traders – distributed generation and consumption), which will increase consumer choice and introduce more competition to retail tariffs. For example, it will disincentivise tariffs that offer competitive export tariffs, but also ramp up consumption tariffs. The Electricity Authority should also implement changes at this time that require retailers to allow large sites to share solar across multiple co-located installation control points (ICPs, i.e. ICP aggregation), and facilitate peer to peer trading for small scale renewable generators with local sites. Rewiring Aotearoa disagrees that delaying these steps via a staged approach is in consumers best interest. Consumers should not have to wait until demand increases to unlock the benefits of their solar and battery systems or access more competitive options from retailers. This should be supported now, to help consumers make investment and retail tariff decisions that reduce their overall energy bills.

On RNZ's First Up, Mike Casey spoke with Nathan Rarere about the increasingly compelling economics of solar and the positive signals coming from Energy and Climate Change Minister Hon. Simon Watts MP FCA. As he says, the Government is aiming to double the amount of renewable electricity being produced and a high percentage of that "could and will come from customers generating the energy themselves". "It's around treating the customer as part of the infrastructure of New Zealand... and removing the barriers that are getting in the way of this stuff happening."

"Don't wait. Start small, but get into it." Evan Maehl, CEO of Waste Management NZ, certainly hasn't waited when it comes to electrification.

We appreciate that broader resource management reform is underway that will ultimately provide a more consistent national framework. However, we cannot afford to wait for the perfect system while workable solutions are delayed. In the meantime, inconsistent and unnecessary consenting requirements for small-scale ground-mounted solar are slowing down projects that could deliver immediate benefits - lowering energy costs, strengthening resilience, and supporting the grid. While long-term reform is important, immediate adjustments will ensure small-scale solar isn’t held back by outdated or inconsistent rules.

Rather than relying on unproven technologies like carbon capture or unreliable offsets in the form of overseas trees, upgrading our small fossil fuel machines to electric equivalents and running them off renewable electricity is one of the best ways to reach our climate targets. We've been saying it for a while and the Climate Change Commission agrees, with an RNZ story saying "there are big opportunities in renewable energy and clean farming that could cut household bills, help businesses - and get the country back on track".

Lowest prices are just the beginning this week as Bunnings gets into the solar and battery game in a big way in Australia with plans for a zero-dollar upfront deal; Port Nelson has electric lift off with its new crane and a new solar powered hybrid cargo ship is launched; Inductive Robotics wants to bring chargers to the cars, rather than the other way around; a new campaign suggests that South Australians are revolting and loving it; and Johnny Solar releases a beautiful version of The Kinks' Lola.

"Investing in natural gas in homes doesn’t make economic sense anymore for New Zealanders ... Rewiring Aotearoa’s view is that the Government should support a managed transition away from natural gas for the homes and non-industrial businesses connected to reticulated natural gas distribution networks. This would help address inequity for households on low incomes and renters, and provide greater certainty over how quickly customers will disconnect, when networks would likely retire and cost recovery timelines."

Flexibility is an important aspect of our future energy system because we need to avoid over-spending on infrastructure and increasing bills when we could instead make better use of our existing poles and wires. The Electricity Authority's moves to lower off-peak power and offer higher export rates at peak are positive, but, as Kimberley O'Sullivan writes, "it is clear the sheer size and complexity of the problems mean government action, with community and industry collaboration, needs to go beyond slightly cheaper electricity when there is less demand." As she says, helping more New Zealanders, particularly renters and low-income homes, access solar with long-term low-interest finance is one of the main ways of reducing the cost of electricity.

Gavin Shoebridge runs through the many reasons EVs make sense in an opinion piece in The Post and points to Rewiring Aotearoa's research showing that "with smarter planning, EVs can play an important role in New Zealand’s energy grid, with the potential to save billions as a country. By tapping into EV batteries as decentralised energy storage, we can flatten peak demand, reduce blackout risks, and save on long-term infrastructure costs".

Rewiring Aotearoa has long argued that there were arbitrary restrictions on the amount of power those with rooftop solar could export to the grid and that was leading to smaller systems and savings - and higher electricity prices for everyone else. We said we'd be keeping an eye on the networks to ensure they followed the Government's recommendations so it's pleasing to see Aurora double its export limit for households from 5kw to 10kw.

There are an increasing number of Bright Sparks in the rural sector who have figured out that there is money to be saved and emissions to be reduced by embracing solar. Aidan Bichan from Kaiwaiwai Dairies in South Wairarapa realised that earlier than most.

Andrea Vance digs into the big infrastructure deficit faced by Queenstown as it deals with rapid growth - and Rewiring Aotearoa's Josh Ellison explains how the ambitious Queenstown Electrification Accelerator will help address the region's energy concerns and turn it into the world's most electric destination.

Auckland CBD's biggest solar install shows that existing rooftops - big and small - are an easy win for electricity generation; New Zealand researchers leading the world on solar efficiency; a clever scheme to train up more heat pump installers in the UK; a very early example of loadshifting; and electric school buses hit the road in the US.

Fairly compensating households, farmers, and businesses with solar and batteries that export power at peak will give customers a better deal and give a much needed jolt to a market that has been slow to innovate and make the most of new technology. 

Gas, batteries and emissions are discussed on RNZ's First Up - and we have some thoughts.

For Jack Tame, the question of going solar is not if, but when. As he said on his Newstalk ZB show after confronting a big electricity bill, "there are only so many gains to be won from policing light switches and shower times. I’m seriously wondering about solar ... The huge surge in solar is being driven by economics. Put simply, solar power is way, way, way cheaper than other forms of electricity generation. Between batteries and solar panels, the technology is only getting better and only getting cheaper."

Solar smashes a few records and helps the world get off gas and coal; homes, not power plants, are the key to lower power prices; 24 new bus chargers are installed in one day in Auckland; DARPA makes some very special popcorn by beaming energy wirelessly for 8km; and an astronomer discovers an addictive new star gazing app.

We know that going electric can help reduce household bills, but the upfront costs are still a big barrier for many. Getting past that requires access to finance and that's now closer than ever.

Rewiring Aotearoa's submission highlights that successful digitalisation should allow customers to maximise benefits from their provision of demand flexibility and solar and battery exports, without third parties (aggregators or VPPs) routinely taking a cut of the value. Retail offerings that include time of use prices and fair export tariffs will be key enablers of successful digitalisation of the electricity system. Customers need a fair deal through their electricity prices and export tariffs. This means the customers need to have the option to choose from a range of retail tariffs that include time of use prices, fair export tariffs (that reflect the value in the wholesale market) and symmetrical export tariffs from distributors.

'The neighbourhood effect' is a powerful force when it comes to influencing purchasing decisions. And that's why Bright Sparks like Stephen Drew are so crucial because they can give community members the knowledge and confidence they need to explore these cheaper, cleaner electric options for themselves.

Redwood Materials claims a record with old EV batteries used to store cheap solar to run a small data centre; OneEnergy launches a product that puts the sun directly into your water tank; more plug-in solar news from Ikea and Utah; very fast electric boats and cars; and a beautiful union between two star-crossed lovers.

While we like to talk about the economic, environmental and resilience benefits of using more electricity, there’s no denying that the news is dominated by stories about increasing electricity prices.

Evnex has established itself in New Zealand, and it's starting to plug in to the Australian market. Founder and CEO Ed Harvey and commercial & technical account manager Tony Davis take us for a tour of the Christchurch office where they assemble and test their smart chargers.

Rewiring Aotearoa's Queenstown Electrification Accelerator is on a mission to create the lowest bills, lowest emissions and highest resilience for the region, and make it easy for homes and businesses to go electric. And it just got a big boost after receiving $220,000 from the Central Lakes Trust.

On The Detail podcast, Sharon Brettkelly talks to Consumer's Paul Fuge about dwindling gas reserves, rising prices and why relying on new gas discoveries is a mug's game.

Victoria looks to get off the residential gas with a range of changes, an announcement in the UK gets everyone excited about V2X, why EVs are a good hedge against geopolitical strife, new comparison and switching partner announced (and we have a couple of requests), and it turns out that keeping the emissions out of the sky is a better idea than trying to catch them.

Rewiring Aotearoa is extremely supportive of the focus the Electricity Authority is putting into exploring opportunities and seeking views on a more ‘decentralised’ electricity system. It’s great to see the release of the Green Paper seeking views from New Zealanders on the role they can play in the future electricity system and how a more decentralised electricity system should evolve. As the Green Paper explains New Zealanders will benefit from a more decentralised, community-centric energy system through lower energy bills, greater energy resilience, fuel security and lower emissions. However there are some assumptions and emphasis in the Green Paper that we think needs to change

Rural Roundup's Andy Thompson talks to Mike Casey, a keynote speaker at the Primary Industries Summit, about the country's energy system and the growing appetite for solar among farmers.

More strong signals from the Government that it's focusing on lowering bills and embracing solar as projects in Rakiura / Stewart Island, Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay get loans of up to $28.1 million combined. "Solar power is playing an increasingly important role in increasing electricity generation in New Zealand. It will help us reach our renewable energy targets and bolster the security and affordability of our energy supply,” says Energy Minister Simon Watts.

An indepth study by EECA that aimed to show "where and under what conditions does investing in solar PV make sense?” has shown that rooftop solar "is likely to be financially viable for a significant proportion of New Zealand households, particularly for those who consume a lot of energy".

Rewiring Aotearoa's research has shown that rooftop solar is the cheapest delivered electricity available to New Zealand households, and a new in-depth study by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has backed that up. "Solar panels now stack up financially for many households in all three of the country's biggest cities, as well as Queenstown ... plunging panel prices and rising electricity bills have tipped the scales in favour of rooftop solar for many homeowners."

Rewiring Aotearoa is supportive of the Innovation and non-traditional solutions allowance (INTSA) and the development of Guidance for submissions. Read our full submission by downloading the document.

Australia's battery sales take off as Government incentive drives demand; Australia's first urban renewable energy zone is announced; the Whole Story and Hutt City Council launch some electric resources for kids; Germany finds more uses for solar panels on its highways; and predictions versus reality when it comes to solar and coal.

While the potential implications of the Bill are wide-ranging, our submission has focused on the potential implications for the electrification of Aotearoa NZ if the Bill is enacted as proposed. This is pertinent to Rewiring’s work, because one of our core aims is to help reduce energy bills for customers - NZ’s households, farms, and businesses. Significant changes are needed to fix the status quo, and we are concerned that the Bill may inadvertently bake in the existing rules governing the sector.

Mt Somers farmer Duncan Humm said he was stoked to see the Solar for Farms announcement from Minister Simon Watts last week. “There are a whole lot of things coming together. She should be a bit of a race now.”

Rewiring Aotearoa is supportive of the development of Publicly Available Specification for Residential solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems guidelines. These guidelines can provide a consolidated and trusted source of information to help households navigate the process of choosing and installing solar PV and batteries. There is some messaging and information in the PAS that we think needs to be changed or added to provide households with the best advice to support them to maximise benefits from solar PV and batteries. This includes removing the focus on pay back periods and informing households about cost savings from day one from solar PV and batteries financed over the life of the system. Households also need information about the potential risks of some existing lease to own sales models which provide little real benefit to households with the bulk of the savings captured in suppliers profits. Download the document to read our full submission.

In Newsroom, incoming Meridian CEO Mike Roan questions the economic viability of rooftop solar. Here's Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey's full response.

Federated Farmers says an uptake in solar power would be “a massive win for security of energy supply and self-sufficiency on farm”. And, aligned with Rewiring Aotearoa, believes solar on existing farm rooftops and unusable land is a better idea than taking up productive land with solar farms.

Introducing Bright Sparks, a new regular feature where we shine a light on some of the country's electrification heroes. First up, electric maritime innovator Fiona Bycroft.

Mike Casey had "been wanting to create a fully electric ute to kind of prove that the technology could exist and then asking some questions as to why it doesn’t exist yet". The Otago Daily Times tells the tale of the Toyota Hilux conversion.

NZ Herald's Simon Wilson (paywalled) looks at why Melbourne is so different to Auckland and how changes announced by the Government last week "will give solar panels with a battery greater economic value for homeowners. It will also help with the security of the grid."