Guest Speaker Laura Kerr of Ecoefficient Solutions, which is based in the Xero Building in Bridge Stree was introduced by John Pickering.She gave a very clear and interesting talk on the benefits of installing solar panels and how to go about it. Key points:
Typical domestic installation of 10 panels costs approximately $10,000.00 and has a payback of 6-9 years.
Laura can give specific proposals as to the best solution, cost, and payback with an on-site discussion at your house.
Larger commercial installations can have an even shorter payback period.
The cost can be added to HBRC rates and paid back as part of rates over 10 years at 4% interest.
Panels now being manufactured and installed are much more attractive to look at than older panels.
Don’t have to have a roof facing North to make panels work efficiently - especially in Hawkes Bay where we have a high number of bright days and where there are bright periods most days.
In most cases, you don’t need batteries which increase the cost considerably and instead feed excess power back into the grid with a modest credit being paid by the power companies.
As another example of how small the world is, she was thanked by Regan who knows her as one of his clients. Laura jokingly expressed happiness to meet Regan in circumstances where she was not crying.