City firm pushes household solar power

A Nelson-based company is taking a lead in providing solar roof tiles in an effort to put an end to household electricity bills.

SolarCity, a Nelson-based business, is involved in creating New Zealand’s first Zero Energy House.

The business supplied the solar roof tiles for the zero energy Auckland home which aimed to offset its power bill by creating as much power as it uses.

Zero Energy House owner, and head of design and innovation at SolarCity, Shay Brazier said his house could save as much as $50,000 to $80,000 in power costs in the next 25 years.

The Solarcentury C21e solar roof tile would provide 45 per cent of the home’s power needs.

SolarCity chief executive Andrew Booth said the tiles meant solar systems did not have to be installed on top of the roof, but were instead a part of it.

He praised the use of the tiles and encouraged home-owners to switch to solar power.

The Zero Energy House’s roof will lead the move towards more New Zealanders fitting ‘‘intelligent’’ roofs on their homes, Mr Booth said.

Labour leader David Shearer visited the zero energy house being built in his Mt Albert electorate.

He said all New Zealanders should aim to have zero energy homes. ‘‘New Zealand should be as clean and green as we say it is.’’

Mr Shearer encouraged the use of solar power and said the house was showing the way to minimising householders’ power bills and carbon footprints.

‘‘In Europe, solar and other forms of renewable energy are seen as the way of the future. New Zealand is lagging behind when we should be way out in front.’’