Solar power may be alternative in Northland

Daniel Davis and Georgia-Rose Blair believe solar energy is a good alternative to electricity for Northland families. Photo / John Stone

Mass conversion to solar power will not work in Northland yet due to a lack of technical know how and costs for families already struggling with their power bills, a social housing provider says.

Ricky Houghton, the chief executive of He Korowai Trust in Kaitaia, said a combination of alternative power sources and electricity would be a good start rather than getting people suddenly off the power grid.

He was reacting to the release of a discussion document for the first stage of the Electricity Price Review commissioned by Energy Minister Dr Megan Woods that shines a spotlight on the problems pushing up power prices for Kiwi families.

The review panel's first report, out last month, talks about the possibility of Kiwi families resorting to alternative energy sources such as solar panels and electric motor vehicles in a bid to save high power costs.

"Any alternatives that drives power costs down is going to benefit the community hugely. In the Far North, on average arrears before power disconnection is anywhere between $2000 and $8000," Houghton said.

"Some families, including the elderly, are getting very sick but are not using power. They need government assistance just as they do for insulation and at the same time, the government should regulate what power companies can charge," Houghton said.

He suggested people be taught how to make solar panels, as was done in India, to further reduce energy costs.

The nationally-recognised average income was $29,000 but the figure for Far North was $22,000 yet power charges in the district was among the highest in New Zealand, he said.

Whangārei small business owners Daniel Davis and wife Georgia-Rose Blair sell and install solar panels throughout Northland and said they were a suitable alternative to mains electricity.

"If you can finance them when building new then that way you can top up your loan rather than borrowing separately. Solar panels definitely have advantages for people like those who are semi retired who can work from home," Davis said.

He gets about 20 jobs a month and said a good thing about having solar power was his ability to remotely control their usage for properties he has installed panels on. Each solar panel costs less than $500.

Northland's electric vehicle spokesman Joseph Camuso said EVs were a no-brainer for New Zealand and cost about $3.50 to run per 100km compared with $20 per 100km for a Toyota Camry or equivalent vehicle.

He said an EV could cost around $10,000 that would provide for most people's daily commute.

"There are clever ways to travel long distances, we have fantastic network of fast charging stations - over 100 now in New Zealand."

Solar power n Northland has a few problems during summer and winter, he said, and that most people were at work when the sun was shining.