Solar saver scheme

Goals of the programme

The overall goal of the Solar Saver Scheme is to increase the uptake of solar water systems in the Nelson City Council area. To support this goal, the Council objectives are to:

  • use the targeted rate process to reduce the upfront cost for customers
  • reduce per unit cost
  • ensure high quality systems are available to customers, that perform well and save customers money
  • simplify the selection and installation process for customers from start to finish, with low administration costs
  • provide excellent customer service
  • provide customers with a choice of systems and suppliers

How the scheme works

The Solar Saver Scheme allows residents to choose the system they like from one of four suppliers and have it installed. The cost of the entire system is met by Council and residents pay it back to Council, including interest, as a targeted rate on their property over ten years.

Read more about the expenditures involved with solar water heating and the cost savings of the Solar Saver Scheme.

If owners sell their house during the ten-year payback period, the rate remains with the property, not the homeowner. Owners can pay off the loan at any time, including as part of the house sale process.

Who can participate in the scheme

The Solar Saver Scheme is available to Nelson home owners. Council will investigate extending the financing of installations to businesses in the future if there is sufficient funding available.

Council, with its partners, will also provide the advantages of the scheme (e.g. reduced prices) to people that don't want to use Council's finance, because

  • they choose to pay cash outright
  • they have other finance available
  • they reside in the Tasman District Council area and can't pay back through the Nelson rates system

Nelson City Council's goal is to increase the number of installations regardless of whether it's providing finance or not.

Watch a locally produced video about how the Solar Saver scheme works, including advantages of solar water heating in sunny Nelson.

The process and timeframe

Interested homeowners should contact Council to start the process. Council registers your interest, takes your contact information, and then provides you with the names of the four suppliers involved in the Solar Saver Scheme.

You can choose to get quotes for one or all three of the suppliers - it's up to you. The suppliers are glad to meet with you at your home to do an assessment, answer questions, and provide a quote.

Once you have selected one supplier, they will provide you with a final quote and an agreement for you to sign and return to them. The supplier will then send the agreement to Council for approval to ensure all is in order. The Council will then notify your supplier of its approval.

Next, the supplier applies for your free building consent from the Council.

Once the consent is granted, you schedule the installation. After the installation is completed, the supplier organises for Council to inspect the work. Once council is satisfied that the work has been completed to the required standard, Council issues a Code Compliance Certificate and pays the supplier for the installation.   The supplier will provide you with the paper work and assist you to submit a grant claim to EECA for the solar water heating grant. Once you receive the grant from EECA you need to pay this back to the supplier to settle the balance owing on the system.

The overall timeframe depends on which supplier you choose, the supplier's schedule, and your personal timeframe for installation. However, suppliers will be expected to complete the installation of the system within two months after the Council approves the participation agreement.

Payment of the Council loan through the rates begins from 1 July (when Council will next set its rates).

Sign up for the scheme

Contact the Council’s project manager Pete Wilkie on +64 3 545 7037 or 021 029 30551 or email your name, address and phone number to Council.

You can register your interest now, and change your mind later. You are not committed to participating until you sign a purchase agreement.

Solar Saver Suppliers

The list of suppliers that you can choose from as part of this scheme are:

APRICUS Solar by Switch

Ph: 0800 APRICUS (0800 277 4287)

Email: info@switchenergy.co.nz
Visit: www.switchenergy.co.nz/solar-assessment

Solar City New Zealand Ltd

Ph:03 548 3138
Email: info@solarcity.co.nz
Web:  www.solarcity.co.nz

Solar Technology Systems Ltd

(part of Solar City New Zealand Ltd Group)

Ph: 03 5442500
Mobile: 0272500343
Email: info@solartechnology.co.nz
Web: www.solartechnology.co.nz

More information

Further information can be found at the Energywise website.