
After surveying almost 100 New Zealanders about their solar and battery installs, Mysolarquotes recently released 'The Hidden Costs of Solar and Battery Systems in New Zealand: 2024 Insights' report. And it's good news for customers looking to go big.
As the report summarised in its key takeaways section:

As the author Kristy Hoare concludes: "Yes, solar and battery systems are a significant investment, but they’re also a ticket to long-term energy independence and peace of mind. With low-interest loans from major banks, more Kiwis are taking the leap into renewable energy without the immediate financial pinch. Ultimately, investing in solar is about more than just the numbers. It’s about taking control of your energy future, contributing to a cleaner environment."
Rewiring Aotearoa CEO Mike Casey was pleased to see the prices matching up closely to its own estimates and says it's always smart to get a few quotes to compare.
"Every home is different, but most homes are similar so it's good to get a ballpark figure. If you've got a difficult roof, or you need some other upgrades, you can expect to pay more but almost everyone we talk to who goes for it thinks it's a good decision."
The only point of contention was around battery prices and the expectation that they won't drop much this year.
"With the precipitous declines we're seeing from some manufacturers, we believe they will also be dropping in price rapidly for customers - and this is also likely to have an impact on the price of EVs."
The LNG can has been kicked down the road, now it's time to stick it in the bin for good; EECA releases its first report on the two-way charging trial in Queenstown; the IEA releases its first electrification-focused report and says we're well and truly in the 'Age of Electricity'; two of our favourite energy nerds explain the primary energy fallacy; old EVs are more likely to pass tests than old petrol cars; who needs roads when you've got boats that work like planes?; and a spurious link between penguins and electrification.
Read moreDownloadSmart Energy Alliance spokesperson Andrew Eagles told Ryan Bridge the process for the LNG import terminal has been rushed up to this point. Eagles says it would cost New Zealanders up to $2.7 billion over 15 years, and so it's right we slow down and consider this fully.
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