Work begins this month on the installation of solar panels on five Council buildings. We are NZ’s sunshine capital with about 2600 hours per year. Solar panels help the shift to renewable energies and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
This is the largest Council climate change initiative since 2023 when we introduced the eBus Service in partnership with the Tasman District Council. This was NZ’s first all-electric bus fleet. We also increased the frequency and destinations of the bus service, doubling passenger use.
The benefits of this solar project are not just environmental. It will reduce Council’s electricity bills. It will also improve our community resilience in a civil emergency. We are installing them on buildings that can be used as Civil Defence Centres and adding battery storage systems to provide backup power for when the electricity supply is down.
Of the $950,000 cost of this solar project, $620,000 (65%) is being funded by Council and $330,000 (35%) by Government grants through the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA). Council funding will be used for 100% of installations on the Trafalgar Street Hall and Saxton Suburbs Football Pavilion. Funding from Council and EECA will be used for installations on the Tāhunanui Community Hub, Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre and the Saxton Netball Pavilion. These installations are due for completion in August, in time for spring.
EECA will also cover the cost of installations on two more community sites.
I sit as Mayor on the Whakatū Marae Committee, where with the help of Council staff and iwi chairs, we have been able to secure Government funds from the Māori Renewable Energy Fund to install solar panels on the wharekai.
These initiatives are positive, but the biggest gains come from getting more panels on Nelson’s 21,000 homes. The major barrier to more homes going solar is the capital cost, which is about $15,000 for panels and a further $12,000 for battery storage.
I am chairing a group, through Local Government NZ, that is working on a nationwide Ratepayer Assistance Scheme that would enable homeowners to access low-cost loans for solar. The scheme requires Government approval but would be a game changer in getting more solar energy across NZ.
