Global petroleum giant Shell has announced it will take over German home battery company Sonnen, as part of its strategy of investing in renewable technologies.

A new Marlborough programme to make finance accessible for solar technology could be reproduced around the country, Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand chairman Brendan Winitana says.

SEANZ Media Release for immediate use:

Transpower solar report shows it is time for strong leadership on energy

Transpower’s latest report on the future of electricity has busted myths and paved the way for government and the electricity sector to work together to enable the important role solar and batteries can play in building a more resilient, clean, affordable, and reliable energy system. 

Auckland’s popular west coast surfing mecca Piha Beach will soon become home to a cutting-edge trial into the broader customer benefits of electric vehicle (EV) technology.

Another council has joined a growing number of others in providing support for its ratepayers to install Solar PV.

Marlborough District Council is adding Solar PV to its existing energy efficiency funding service. The Council is seeking to improve air quality and affordability of home clean heating, insulation, water heating and energy supply by helping homeowners with the costs of installation through its energy efficiency funding service.

The scheme allows homeowners to pay the costs of installation over a period of nine years via a targeted rate in addition to their current rates.

OPINION: Electricity prices in New Zealand were five times higher in October 2018 than they were over the previous five years.

The Taranaki offshore gas field, Pohokura, has reduced output due to a faulty valve which was discovered at the offshore gas platform. 

The outage has resulted in a gas shortage and caused an electricity price spike which will run until late November, when Operator Shell says that production should resume.

A community energy project based on the south-west coast of Western Australia is offering households an opportunity to become 90 per cent renewable “for the price of a coffee a day” as part of a privately funded, potentially 6.5MW virtual power plant.

Complementary technology, batteries and smart apps feature heavily as industry helps consumers access lower costs, reduce emissions and deliver a more resilient energy future

Media release – for immediate use

Greenpeace Proposal the best way to lower electricity prices and lower emissions

Political action required to end energy poverty and hasten transition to clean economy

The Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ) today fully endorsed the Greenpeace proposal to redirect taxpayer-funded subsidies for fossil fuels and divert them to supporting half a million homes install solar and batteries.