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.

Sunergise today announced that Todd Generation has taken a stake in Sunergise NZ to further increase the implementation of solar energy in New Zealand.

Reprinted with permission of SEANZ member Power Technology

Every school could have a solar array on the roof. Schools are a long term investment in our communities, and solar on the roof of a school enhances this long term investment with impressive guarantees. A solar array produces energy during daylight hours, which is when electricity is needed most in schools. During daylights hours students are in school, which means that electricity is used to assist in educational activities. Long term, a solar array will definitely save a school money on their power expenditure. If a school is not financially able to purchase a large solar array in first instance, they can easily start small and add more solar panels over time. There is a solar solution available for every and any school in New Zealand.

(See above, Otonga School with arrays on several roof areas - Genesis Energy School-gen/Power Technology)

Businesses around the country are rushing to generate their own electricity

SEANZ is eagerly awaiting a report from the Electricity Authority (EA) on how they intend to create a pathway for equal access to electricity networks by Distributed Energy Resources (DER). Examples of DER include Solar PV, battery storage, demand response, and also EV charging/discharging from the grid.

The government's energy and resources work programme has a strong emphasis on electrifying the economy and supporting emerging technologies- policies that SEANZ have long lobbied for. 

Press Release For Immediate Use

SEANZ clarifies process over EECA Solar Calculator

Government agency requested SEANZ expert analysis

The cost of solar power systems has flat-lined in New Zealand after steadily reducing in price over the past five years.