Westpac says it will lend up to $10,000 interest-free for five years to its home loan customers to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

The bank's chief executive David McLean said its new "Warm Up" loans could be used by Westpac home loan customers to install heat pumps, solar panels, ventilation, double glazing or insulation.

SEANZ member, gentailer Genesis Energy has announced it is in advanced planning to build a 300MW solar farm in the northern Waikato. The farm will be New Zealand's biggest solar farm by a big margin and is another indicator that the economics of electricity generation have tipped in favour of commercial and large-scale solar. 

The Government will change the law to let it step in over the top of the country's electricity regulator, amid concerns the power industry may still not be on the right track.

Congrats to SEANZ members Shay Brazier from Revolve Energy and David and the Team at Reid Technology for their roles in bringing New Zealand's largest solar array to life. 

On 11th December the first retail centre in New Zealand that implements Solar Grid Share was opened. It was opened by Broadway Property at their Moore Street Retail Centre (219 Moore Street, Howick).

Solar Grid Share concept, is offering the opportunity for local businesses to join together, generating solar power for the benefit of all.

The solar system installed by Solar Group will provide more than 50% of the power needs of the 13 retailers. The remaining of the power is coming from the grid and is purchased from a 100% sustainable energy supplier at wholesale prices. The installation consists of 160 solar panels.

This is a fantastic achievement for local business. It is also a fine example of how businesses and property developers can make our community more sustainable, by generating clean power on-site.

SEANZ 2019, held in Wellington was a great success. The theme was the 3’D’s of Modern Energy. With a video presentation from the Minister of Energy Hon Dr Megan Woods, who unfortunately could not attend in person, this was the next best thing she could do. Her message was clear.

The SEANZ Awards are now 10 years old and this year we received the most award nominations ever!

SEANZ would like to thank Fronius for generously sponsoring the awards again this year. 

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.