The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
RNZ's money correspondent Susan Edmunds crunches the numbers and finds energy experts extolling rooftop solar's virtues, especially for those with EVs, big power users and those working from home.
Following on from the liquidation of SolarZero, RNZ money correspondent Susan Edmunds posed a question this morning: 'Is it worth getting a solar system?'
Answer: if you're looking for the cheapest electricity New Zealand households can get, then yes.
We regularly shout about solar from the rooftops, but we like it even more when others pick up our research and add to the volume. And, as Consumer's Paul Fuge summarised: "It's a real no brainer … now it just makes such financial sense to do it."
It makes even more sense for those who own electric vehicles because rooftop solar is the cheapest fuel on offer. And it is also the cheapest way to heat your water.
As she said: "It takes just five to eight years for a typical solar power system to pay for itself on a New Zealand home, experts say. But people who are high power users, or who work from home during the day could potentially benefit faster."
The cost of solar panels and batteries has fallen dramatically in recent years. But the playing field is still not level and that's why we are advocating for the rules to change so that customers are fairly rewarded for their exports, particularly at peak times.
Here's to running on the sun.
'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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