Solar Energy

Solar water heating

About 30% of an average home’s electricity use goes on water heating. By harnessing the sun’s energy to heat your water, you can cut your hot water bills dramatically.

At current electricity prices, you could save between $350 and $450 a year at home by installing a solar water heater. Commercial or industrial operations could save even more. These savings will
continue to increase as electricity and gas prices are projected to increase over the coming years.

The environmental benefits are significant. If each household in New Zealand had its own solarwater heater, carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation would be reduced by about 2 million tonnes per year. If commercial and industrial operations installed solar water heaters the environmental benefit would be greater still.

Solar water heating options: 

What to consider in order to choose the most effective solar water heating system for your household.
More information on www.smarterhomes.org.nz

Solar electricity/ Photovoltaics

Solar energy collected in photovoltaic cells can be used to produce electricity for a number of uses. If every New Zealand home had its roof covered in photovoltaic panels, they would collectively generate enough power in a year to satisfy over a quarter of New Zealand’s annual electricity needs.

The benefits of photovoltaic systems:

• They are silent, consume no fuel and generate no pollution.
• They also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• more...

Click here..for more information about installation and maintenance

Sources:

www.eeca.govt.nz
www.smarterhomes.org.nz