Funding boost for solar city scheme

A $150,000 grant has improved Nelson's chances in its bid to become New Zealand's first solar city.

Project leader Andrew Booth of Energyshift, which is steering the project, has announced the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority has awarded funding of $100,000 and the Tindall Foundation $50,000 towards a solar power pilot scheme in Nelson.

Mr Booth said the pilot scheme is the next step in testing the solar city concept, which aims to see solar water heating installed in 1000 Nelson homes and businesses.

The first step involves 25 homes and businesses across Nelson, Richmond and Stoke which will be used to "test" modern solar water heating systems.

The pilot will provide chosen home owners and businesses with a free energy audit and a "smart" software system to help property owners optimise their solar water heating systems.

It will also make financing options available for those willing to pay between $5000 and $7000 for a system to be installed on their property.

Mr Booth said the pilot will involve a large team of Nelson-based businesses which will include Applied Research Services Ltd, Blueberry IT software development, Pacific.Net and the Cawthron Institute.

"Our approach is designed to build Nelson as a national centre of expertise in solar technologies, creating new green jobs here in Nelson and across New Zealand," Mr Booth said.

Energyshift now needed families and business willing to invest in a solar hot water system, and then work with a technical team to maximise the performance and savings the system generates.

The funding from EECA and the Tindall Foundation - the largest independent private foundation in Australasia - would be matched by an equal investment by EnergyShift in the development of the solar city initiative, Mr Booth said.

Nelson City Council is a partner in the project and Mayor Kerry Marshall welcomed the launch of the scheme.

It fitted well with the council's push to make Nelson New Zealand's first solar city, he said.

EECA solar spokesman Nathan Ross said the Nelson solar plan would provide a useful model which other cities could copy.

Those interested in taking part are invited to visit the website www.solarcity.co.nz to see if their home or business is a good candidate to be part of the pilot scheme, Mr Booth said.

- © Fairfax NZ News