Solar Panels
 

I hear electricity is really expensive in NZ we were thinking of buying a solar panel system, what kind of price would that set us back out there?
Thanks

Re: Solar Panels
 

We are installing a two panel solar hot water system with the new house. The payback on that is up to 6 years, but I believe that time is coming down. There are a number of products on the market. We are not using it for underfloor heating, though you could with more panels. The more people you have in the household and the uses you will put the hot water to will impact your size and cost of the units. I beieve that you can spend up to $6500 for a two panel, glycol, high pressure system.

Vector is testing Swift Turbines. These are two meter diameter wind turbines that you may see here and there in the UK. They are now approved for home use. You can google them and see.

Re: Solar Panels
 

Around 5-6 grand springs to mind. We looked at it but decided against as it would take years for it to pay for itself and the money was better spent elsewhere.

AFAIK NZ doesn't yet offer grants for solar heating.

Re: Solar Panels
 

Yes, it would be a good idea for a grant for solar heating.

Each Sunday on the way to Church we drive by one of the firewood suppliers. Boy, to see the large piles of cut wood ready to burn to heat the homes four months from now.

I think part of the electricity problem is that the government owns a large chunk of the producers/operators. They take in dividends from these companies. I wonder if the companies were private that there would be more money for capital infrastructure and perhaps a lower price as there might be a lower dividend to pay. However, that is a might. I suppose, as it looks now, there is an indirect tax on electricity because the government takes a cut of the business proceeds. Of course, they also got some because the electricity charge also attracts GST.