Labour to double rooftop solar

Labour says it will double the number of houses with rooftop solar in New Zealand, lowering household power bills, reducing emissions and boosting renewable electricity generation.

It’s making up to a $4000 rebate available per household to install rooftop solar panels and battery storage, adding the deal could save up to 50% on bills or about $850 annually.

And it promises a $20 million boost for local community energy projects and aims to fit solar panels on about 1000 Kainga Ora homes annually.

 “We need to increase renewable electricity generation by 68% by 2050,” says Labour leader Chris Hipkins, adding that solar on roofs lowers bills and generates electricity locally, reducing reliance on the grid.      

“We’ll boost New Zealand’s renewable energy production and make Kiwis’ power bills cheaper, through a fiscally responsible plan that contributes up to $4000 towards installing rooftop solar panels at home – $2000 towards the panels and $2000 for a battery.

 “There are well over 40,000 New Zealand homes getting cheaper, clean electricity with rooftop solar – this will more than double that with approximately 60,000 more rooftop solar systems.

 “Experience from projects funded through our Community Renewable Energy Fund shows household solar panels can reduce energy bills by up to 50%. That’s a saving of up to $850 a year.,” says Hipkins.

 “This package of new measures builds on Labour’s plan to see New Zealand lead the world in renewable energy, creating jobs and protecting Kiwis’ power bills from  international price volatility.’ 

Labour energy spokesperson Megan Woods says the plan will also put $20 million of new funding towards community energy projects to help boost energy generation, and put more renewable energy back into the grid, helping to lower the overall cost of energy nationwide. 

 “That funding will see new pilot programmes like mini urban solar farms, which provide revenue to those with spare commercial roof space by installing solar panels which feedback into the grid, trialled before being rolled out wider,” she explains. 

 “We will also fit 1000 Kainga Ora homes a year with solar panels, which will give financial relief to some of our lower income families by reducing monthly energy bills. 

 “With Transpower forecasting a 68% increase in electricity generation needed to meet demand by 2050 we need to boost New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity to provide greater economic security,” says Woods.

 “By transitioning the bulk of our energy generation to renewable sources, like wind, solar and hydro in a fiscally responsible way, we can better protect New Zealanders from international pressures on energy prices like we have seen over the last two years with the war in Ukraine.”

Woods says the announcement builds on the success of the Clean Car Standard and Clean Car Discount which have increased EV uptake by 35% since 2017, and the funding of more than 1300 EV charges, one in almost every New Zealand town. 

 “It’s further to BlackRock’s $2 billion fund and the work of New Zealand Green Investment Finance to accelerate investment in innovative and dynamic companies, new technologies and significant projects that create jobs.”