b'WHErE going green snapshot case studyMost homeowners installing solar panels want to reduce their power bills and protect STYLE themselves from power price hikes. As well, solar is a sustainable energy choice so there is definitely a feel-good factor. MEEtsuV rEsistAnt let theOne happy customer of HarrisonsHome Energy Solutions recently installed a 4.680 kWp Solar System, comprising a 5kw inverter and 18 x 260 mono x panels (nine DURABILITY sun shine facing north and nine facing north-east). Living in Auckland, he generated an average of 20kW per day in January. That equatesto a saving of around $174 for the monththe new generation of designer Will not rust Is solar energy the way of the future? (29c per kW inclusive of GST).uPVC spouting and downpipe systems Pictured: renovated bungalow in Mt Albert,A s residential electricity prices head skywards morehomeownersareconsideringsolar power as an alternative energy source. Auckland featuring Marley typhoon spoutingSolar energy connections have nearly quadrupled and Marley rP80 80mm round downpipe since2011,accordingtoSustainableElectricity in Copper Association of New Zealand (SEANZ) figures. Around 40 to 50 home solar power systems are installed every For more information visit www.marley.co.nz month. At the same time, the price of installations or phone 0800 MARLEY (0800 627 539) dropped about 36%, to an average system cost of about $10,000. The initial outlay can be offset within six to seven years. SEANZ chairman Brendan Winitana says the biggest barrier to more homes using solar energy is the cost as well as a lack of awareness among consumers of the benefits.Itsanenergysourcethatisgainingin recognition however. Tapping into solar energy means that homeowners are less dependent on their electricity supplier. They can even often sell any excess energy generated back to the power companies. Its also an eco-friendly power source. Although theTheaveragehouseholdusesabout22kilowattResene First Lightproductionofsolarpanelsrequiresinputofrawhours of electricity per day which requires about 45Resene materialsandenergy,solarpowersenvironmentalsquare metres of PV panels on the roof. The averageBig Bangimpact is minimal. The technology doesnt produceroof has much more area than that, so this is easily carbon, methane or fossil fuel emissions. Often solarachievable.LOWpanelsystemsarehiddenontherooftopandtheThe cost of solar panels has fallen significantly in MAINTENANCE technology usually lasts longer than 20 years.recent years as production expands and technologies improve. However installation and related equipment How it works needed, such as a battery bank (if required), add to the Two technologies are used to capture solar energy:cost. 100%solarwater-heatingsystemsandphotovoltaicInternationalEnergyAgencyfigurespredictthat RECYCLABLE AVAILABLE IN conversion of radiant energy to electricity. Both use11% of all the worlds power will be generated by COPPER AND panels usually attached to the roof itself or on a framephotovoltaic panels by 2030.on the roof.Solar water heating uses the suns rays via collection TITANIUM Photovoltaic (PV) cells, usually made of silicon, arepanelstoheatwater,whichisthenstoredinan MADEdesigned to generate an electric current when exposedinsulatedhotwatercylinder.Well-designedand IN NZto sunlight. New Zealand receives on average of aboutinstalled solar water heating systems will meet 50-four kilowatt hours of raw solar energy per day for75% of a homes hot water needs. each horizontal square metre. Solar electric PV panelsWhen the sun cant heat enough water to meet a 15 YEARcan convert up to 15% of the available solar energypropertys needs, an electric, gas or other booster can GUARANTEE intoelectricity;thepercentageconvertedislowerbe installed. Upfront costs are high compared to other because of the suns changing position in relation tohot water systems, but once installed they provide free the fixed panels.energy and reduce overall water heating costs. 35'