WE'RE BUILDING A MOVEMENT TO CREATE

What if we could lower our power bills, improve our security of energy supply, AND help keep New Zealand’s environment clean for the future?

Solar Saver is a new programme framework for local councils, allowing them to make solar hot water systems available to homes across their local area. 

By negotiating bulk supply contracts of solar hot water (SHW) systems and offering fixed interest repayment plans over 10 years as targeted rates, councils can offer systems which are affordable for any household. 

Developed and piloted by Nelson City Council in 2010, the Solar Saver programme was highly successful in its first year. That's why 350 Aotearoa and the Nelson Environment Centre have decided to spread the word about the programme framework nationwide, encouraging 25 more councils to start up Solar Saver in their area and help local households harness the power of the sun.

350 Aotearoa and the Nelson Environment Centre are both not-for-profit organisations.  We are working with local residents to encourage each council to set-up a Solar Saver programme in their area, and are providing advice to councils in order to help facilitate this process.  While we can not help adminster programmes (this is up to each individual council), we encourage you to contact us with any questions you have.

How Does Solar Saver Work?

Though Solar Saver is a nationwide initiative, it is implemented separately by each council, so you have full control over which suppliers you choose to work with, and the nuts and bolts of the scheme. 

But basically:

1. Each council puts both the supply and installation of the SHW systems out to tender and selects suppliers who best fit the selection criteria.
2.  Councils negotiate a discounted price for bulk purchase of SHW systems with each supplier.
3.  Each council negotiates a favourable high-volume loan interest rate with a loan provider.  
4. Councils are now ready to advertise the programme to the public.  We’ll provide key messages and nationwide branding to help you get the message out.
5. Households sign up with the council and then obtain a quote from selected suppliers based on their household size and their hot water needs.  Households submit their preferred quote to the council.
6.  Councils may choose to supply free building consents to install a SHW system.
7. Councils then pay the upfront cost to the supplier and it’s full steam ahead on installation!
8. Households immediately enjoy savings on their power bill which they can use to repay the council through a fixed-interest targeted rate over a 10 year period. 
9. Households can choose to pay off an extra portion or all of the balance at any time. They can also decide to pay the whole cost upfront and still take advantage of the negotiated bulk rate on systems and installation.  

Why Solar Saver?

Benefits to councils:

• Increases regional energy security by using a free resource (the sun), diversifying supply and providing more homes with both a self-sufficient source of power and guaranteed fixed energy costs independent of future electricity and gas price rises.
• Builds up skills and provides long-term jobs in the local economy both on the installation/ servicing and manufacture/assembly of some smaller components.
• Brings in investment, giving rise to clean technology businesses and employment.
• Reduces payments to power companies releasing money to spend on local goods and services and strengthening the local economy. 
• Decreases use of fossil fuels, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to help limit climate change.  There may be future potential for emissions reductions to be converted to carbon credits.
• Helps keep New Zealand safe for the future by mitigating climate change, while helping preserve our irreplaceable landscapes by avoiding further coal and gas exploration.
• Contributes to New Zealand’s renewable energy future by reducing the need for new commercial power generation and diversifying the affordable renewable energy options available.

Benefits to households:

• Saves approx 20% on systems’ capital cost.
• A possible $500-$1000 EECA subsidy further reduces cost. (Limited subsidies available; homeowners should see www.energywise.govt.nz for more information.)
•  Lowers power bills, allowing households to put savings towards repaying the council.  
• Lifetime of SHW systems is 20-25 years, with low maintenance costs.
•  Reduces confusion in selecting a system, while still offering a choice of suppliers.
• Buffers households against increasing electricity and gas prices.
•  Increases household energy security.
• Adds value to the property.
• Reduces the average household carbon footprint by 1.5 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

How is SHW already working for New Zealanders?

Costing $4000-$10,000, depending on the size and type of system, SWH offers New Zealanders a renewable energy option that is not only affordable, but that actually saves money on power bills – on average $18,194 over a 20 year lifespan!*

(*Estimate from a feasibility study for Nelson City Council , based on the historical trend of a 6% rise in electricity prices each year.)

We might not all be in a city with as many sunshine hours as Nelson, but a report from BRANZ found through monitoring 35 SHW systems in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, that good design and installation was the dominant factor in performance rather than geographic location.  EECA estimates that the average SHW system supplies 50-75% of a household’s hot water needs!

Solar Saver is being promoted as part of 100%RenewableNZ, a new joint-initiative of 350 Aotearoa and the Nelson Environment Centre, working for 100% renewable energy in New Zealand by 2025.