
There's money on the table for farmers that embrace solar. And with new announcements from the Government, Farmlands and ASB, there's never been a better time to embrace the sun. Solayer's Becks Smith and Farmlands Flex CEO Andrew Pegler joined Kathryn Ryan on Nine to Noon to talk about the growing interest in rural solar and storage and, as Pegler said: "I don't think it's an early adopter thing anymore. I think farmers are ready. They were just looking for someone to bring a solution that they trusted, somewhere they could ask questions and not feel like they're asking a silly question, so the response has been amazing."
The Energy Minister Simon Watts has launched the Solar on Farms initiative at Fieldays - with plans for tools and data to be made available as well as moves to make financing these products easier. ASB Bank is offering interest free loans up to $150,000 over 5 years. It comes as joint venture company Farmlands Flex adds its launch of a software product that will help connect solar systems to batteries and the grid. Farmlands Flex chief executive is Andrew Pegler and Becks Smith is founder of Solayer - a company installing solar systems on farm.
There’s plenty of energy emanating from the ground at Te Puia in Rotorua. And there’s plenty of creative energy emanating from those studying at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Now there’s also plenty of electric energy, because the business has upgraded its fossil fuel vehicles and added a big solar system so they can run on the sun.
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