Group investigates solar power project

A group of local environmentalists is proposing a community-owned solar energy system.

Transition Timaru, a community group of about 500 people motivated to address environmental issues, is looking into the feasibility of solar power investment.

They are exploring the idea of forming a co-operative to finance and build a solar power supply, possibly setting it up at a rest home.

The concept is designed to provide investment returns, supply cheaper and more reliable power to a community facility and drive innovation.

It would cost about $100,000 to set up and provide an output of 10 kilowatts (10,000 watts) – enough electricity to supply three energy efficient homes. Any excess power would be sold back to the national grid.

Transition Timaru has been working closely with other community environmental groups in Otago and Christchurch who are trialling similar alternative energy options.

Spokesman Steve Earnshaw said the intention was to eventually develop larger and more efficient projects depending on the amount of interest the concept generated. "The cost changes depending on size."

Solar panels configured to supply domestic users with an output of 10 kilowatts would return about 15,000 to 18,000 units to the grid each year, and comfortably fit on to an area the size of a rest home roof, he said.

"We basically wanted a big roof we could put it on.

"We're hoping it should be a profit making arrangement.

"The price of solar panels has gone down significantly in recent years."

Mr Earnshaw said the group would explore setting up wind farms down the track if they were successful during the initial stages.

"It benefits the community rather than business.

"The initial return on investment would be relatively small but it would get up over the years as the price of electricity has been going up about 10 per cent each year and that's not likely to change."

The proposal would create investment and drive innovation, Mr Earnshaw said.

Transition Timaru will meet representatives of the Waitaki Energy Project on April 26 to discuss community owned power generation. The Waitaki Energy Project was formed by residents of Blueskin Bay in Otago who are developing a community wind turbine with Otago University and Powerhouse Wind.

- © Fairfax NZ News