Freedom from the National Grid

from The Dominion Post....

Frustrated electricity users eye solar energy

By MICHAEL FORBES | 5:00AM - Thursday, 25 September 2014

BRIGHT IDEA: Wellington architect Michael Gould shows off the solar panels on top of
his Strathmore home, which generate about as much energy as his family consumes
in a 12-month period. — KEVIN STENT/Fairfax NZ.

MORE and more Kiwis are turning to solar energy out of frustration with their power providers, new research shows.

A recent study by Rebecca Ford, from Victoria University's school of engineering and computer science, found just 30 percent of participants were happy with buying electricity from their power company, and 60 percent would be willing to invest in solar panels.

It also appears people are putting their money where their mouths are. Ford's study showed a 330 percent increase over the past two years in the number of grid-connected, small-scale systems utilising photovoltaics (PV) — the cells that convert sunlight into electricity.

She said the numbers were still low compared with some other countries, but the growth trend was significant and pointed towards solar power making a substantial impact on the future of energy generation.

“The biggest barrier for people is the cost,” she said. “While there are significant financial benefits to installing a photovoltaic system in your home, it's the high start-up costs and the lack of current financial incentives that put people off.”

Wellington architect Michael Gould has 12 solar panels on top of his home in Strathmore, which generate about as much power as he and his family consume over the course of a year.

He remains connected to the power grid but finds little need for it. His most recent monthly power bill was $17.

“Walking into my house, you wouldn't know it's solar-powered. It lights up like any other house,” he said.

“It's nice and warm in winter ... we've got three kids using iPhones and iPads, a DVD player and a TV.”

Wood opted for a slightly higher-quality PV system two years ago, costing him about $15,000.

But over the system's 25-year life span, the energy savings were expected to recoup the price he paid two times over. He was not surprised to hear about the rising popularity of PV systems, saying it was a great decision to install his.

Currently there is no government support to encourage a greater uptake of PV systems.

But Ford's report says there are new types of business models being trialled by companies such as Vector, which allow people to lease the systems.

Her research showed Kiwis wanted to take personal responsibility for producing clean energy, she said. “We just need to find achievable ways to help make that happen.”

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/10541255/Frustrated-electricity-users-eye-solar-energy