Nelson City Council

Jane Evans of Nelson

She may have a heritage house, but that wasn’t going to stop Nelson artist, Jane Evans from taking advantage of the Council’s Solar Saver scheme.

“The installers, and a representative from the Council did all the paperwork with the heritage people, and we came to an agreement on which section of the roof to install the panels,”

Jane Evans - photo courtesy of the Nelson Mail

says Jane. “I have a deciduous tree that partially hides it, and luckily we were still able to maintain the heritage look from the street.”

Looking good

One stipulation was to get the upright strut of the panel frame painted the same colour as her roof.  Jane was happy to do this and says it makes a huge difference visually, and the panels are far less intrusive. “I’m amazed, as I thought it might look very black and deadly - but it really doesn’t and the tree softens it.”

Paving the way

Jane believes she has the first Nelson heritage house to fit solar hot water, and now it’s been achieved, it should be much easier for others. “I am very happy that I’ve done it, and I really take my hat off to the Council for having the foresight to get the scheme underway,” she says.  “I have a long, hot bath every morning and I guess I do use a lot of hot water - but I won’t feel so guilty anymore.”

The Robertsons of Nelson

The Robertson family.

“It’s a no brainer,” says Nelson radio announcer Kent Robertson, “We live in a region that has the most sunshine in the entire country, the cost of heating hot water makes up a large part of your total electricity bill, and the Council is offering an incentive – these three things mean ‘Do it!’”

Paying for itself

In 2008 Kent and Mandy and their two children Holly (10) and Scott (9) did the Eco-Challenge, making some changes on the domestic front in the lead up to Eco Fest. They looked at installing solar power then, but the cost put them off. Under the Solar Saver Scheme their supplier reduced the cost significantly for the fully installed system. This made it more affordable and Kent estimates the system will have paid for itself in power savings in five to seven years.  The summer power bills are about half of what they were last year, and the monitoring (included in the package they chose) has produced some impressive graphs showing the system is maximising the sun’s energy and keeping the upper level of the family water cylinder hovering in the high 50s. 

Money well spent

Kent says the investment is money well spent.  “For a family of four it has to be a good investment: we’ve got two busy active kids – Scott plays soccer, Holly does ballet and both are passionate about swimming – we have lots of showers and we do lots of washing.”

Caring for the environment is a factor

As well as the cost savings and lifestyle benefits the family is pleased to be doing their bit for the planet.

“The environmental reality is that if everyone in New Zealand put in solar hot water there’d be no immediate need to build new power stations,” Kent says. “The sun is giving us free energy – this is a very easy way to lower your carbon foot print every day.”

Lou Perkins - Evolve Builders

With solar hot water installed in his own home, Lou Perkins of Evolve Builders now plans to install it in every home he builds. “I’m building energy efficient houses for first home buyers, so the council scheme allows me to include solar hot water systems in the plans without having to carry the cost,“ Lou says. “This way the buyer can get the benefits of solar straight away by paying it off on their rates."

Lou Perkins of Evolve Builders

Asking to go solar

Lou was attracted to using solar hot water firstly for environmental reasons, but the systems are also a selling point for his houses.  He says solar is not just for alternative lifestylers or high-end homes, it’s now mainstream and many clients are asking for it. “The houses I build are designed with a suitable solar-ready roof to get the maximum potential of the sun. The suppliers can fit a profiled solar collector flat against the roof, or a pitched frame to suit sun angles - they can work with any roof style, even the weirdest angles or curves.”

Get in on the ground floor

As a builder, Lou knows it pays to plan for energy efficiency and solar from the start. “Putting a solar system in a new house makes good sense because the buyers are not paying extra for a retro fit later.” In summer, hot water bills are virtually zero and there’s excellent savings in the shoulder seasons too. Even in winter the 10 to 30 percent savings are very worthwhile, and with teenagers at home Lou says he really notices the benefits of solar hot water. “We are lucky with the sunshine in Nelson, but when there’s not quite enough, the units have auto timers to turn on the power to ‘top up’ the heat - so it’s reassuring to know your family will have hot water when it’s needed, year round.”

Anita Brown of Nelson

Anita Brown was looking to the future when she read about the Council’s Solar Saver scheme in Live Nelson and decided to put her name in the draw. “I’m looking ahead to my old age – while I’m still working it makes sense to take steps to make my home more energy efficient for when I am old.”

Anita Brown

Savings already

Anita says the installation was simple and took only a day. She was pleased with the way the builder helped to keep the storage space she had in her hot water cupboard, and even more pleased when the first power bill came in. “I started saving from my first month’s power bill, so I am paying off the loan from the Council with the savings I’m making on electricity.” Part of Anita’s job at St Stephen’s Church sees her sorting out clothes for their popular ‘op-shop’. “Some of the clothes donated to the op shop really need a good soak in hot water and it’s nice for me to be able to do that – now that the hot water is free.”

Anita is a convert to solar water heating and has strong words for the rest of us: “Nelson people are foolish if they don’t use the sun we’ve got here to heat their water and save their money.”

Nadine Connock of Nelson

When Nadine Connock spotted the information about the Solar Saver scheme in Live Nelson she got her name into the first ballot and was thrilled to be among those selected.

Glad of the chance to go solar

“There was no way I could have afforded solar water heating without the subsidy and the system of paying it off with my rates payments,” she says. “I thought it was an exciting offer from Council and an amazing opportunity for people who need a step up to help put them onto solar.” Since having the solar panels installed in January, Nadine says her electricity bill for the first month was around $75 less. She’s also pleased to be doing her bit for the environment.

Nadine Connock

A place in the sun

“My house above Victory Square is amazingly positioned for the sun, and visitors often commented that it would be ideal for solar,” she says. “It’s an environmental step that I’ve always aspired to as well as a long term cost saver.”

While some ‘solar savers’ like the freely available hot water for longer showers, Nadine says having the system has made her even more aware of water use, as she strives to use only solar heated water and not have the system switch over to backup electricity. All in all she’s sold on solar: “I would definitely recommend Solar Saver as a positive step for the home, the family, the environment and the future.”