New Zealand’s energy system transformation is underway! SEANZ 2019 | Tomorrow's Energy Today is New Zealand's leading Sustainable Energy Conference, bringing together key players from across sectors and across Australasia who can lead the drive toward a resilient and 100% renewable energy system for New Zealand. 

Energy and Resources Minister Hon. Megan Woods today announced changes to the electricity market aimed to level playing field for smaller independent retailers, provide greater transparency over the big power companies, increase competition in the market and encourage consumers to shop around for better deals. 

SEANZ Media Release – 26 September 2019

Minister of Energy opens first-of-kind community-shared solar grid at Morningside Precinct

Minister of Energy and Resources, Hon. Megan Woods, today launched a community-shared solar grid at Morningside retail and hospitality precinct in Auckland.

SEANZ analysed data from 21 residential solar power systems installed on New Zealand homes.

Real performance data from these solar power systems has shown in every scenario the return on investment figure (the lowest being 5.42% ROI) was higher than the current average bank interest rates of 2.5%.

Read more about the study and the individual case studies here. 

In a double first for New Zealand, SEANZ member Vector has announced New Zealand's floating solar array and first solar project over 1MW. 

The largest solar pv system in Hawkes Bay opened recently, installed by SEANZ member Ecoefficient Solutions NZ on the roof of iconic NZ honey company Arataki Honey. 

SEANZ 2019 | Tomorrow’s Energy Today is New Zealand's leading Sustainable Energy Conference, bringing together key players from across sectors and around the world who can lead the drive toward a resilient and 100% renewable energy system for New Zealand. This is a must-attend event for SEANZ members and an opportunity for you and your business to shine on a national platform. 

This is a guest post by Energy analyst Molly Melhuish.

100% Renewable Energy -It’s a great aspirational goal for New Zealand. Can it be achieved?

The Interim Climate Change committee has concluded that the Government’s goal of 100% renewable electricity is too costly. Their model indicates that power prices would be driven up by 39%.

Refining NZ, the owner and operator of the Marsden Point refinery is exploring the viability of a 26 MW solar farm to be potentially developed adjacent to the refinery to supply it with renewable electricity.

Combining rooftop PV with battery storage and an electric vehicle can more than halve the payback period for a home solar system, and fast-charge the transition to renewables, a new report has found. This could open doors to new opportunities and financing models for a comprehensive home electric set up here in New Zealand.