Green Party launches Solar Homes policy

The Green Party has today launched a new policy to deliver cleaner, cheaper power to New Zealanders.

“People are paying too much for their power. The Greens are committed to fixing this. What we’re announcing today will help free Kiwis from the worry and stress of rising electricity prices,” said Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman.

Under the Green Party’s Solar Homes initiative, households will be able to get low-cost loans from government to install solar panels, so they can tap into affordable green power and generate their own electricity.

The loan will be repaid through rates. Any excess power generated can be sold back to the grid.

“Power prices have risen 22% since National came to power, which means energy companies are making big profits while ordinary New Zealanders struggle to pay their bills,” said Dr Norman.

“Solar Homes lets Kiwis take the power back, and break free from the big energy companies. This policy is about energy freedom.

“Solar Homes will underpin dramatic growth in the industry with a target of 30,000 installations in the first three years. Our plan to grow this smart, green industry will create around 1,000 new jobs,” said Dr Norman.

Availability of finance is seen as one of the key barriers to the uptake of solar in New Zealand. Solar Homes aims to remove this barrier.

The typical system will leave people about $100 better off a year – producing $1,000 of electricity a year at current prices, but only costing $900 a year, over 15 years, to pay off. After that the system will continue to produce free electricity for the lifetime of the panels.

There are no government subsidies involved.

“Solar is a smart choice for those wanting to reduce their power costs. It’s also one of the greenest forms of electricity generation out there,” said Dr Norman.

Solar Homes builds on previous energy announcements from the Greens, including NZ Power, which will fix the broken market by creating a single buyer and save families around $300 a year.

“The Greens are the only party with a real vision for how New Zealand can achieve cheaper and cleaner power,” said Dr Norman.

For further details of the policy go to: greens.org.nz/solarhomes

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