From Solar PV to Micro-Wind, Micro-Hydro and Solar Hot Water – even Tesla Solar Roof Tiles, this article will explore the pros and cons of your renewable energy alternatives.
If you’re looking to make your home more sustainable, one of the most impactful things you can do is to start generating your own clean, renewable energy. So what are your options? From Solar PV to Micro-Wind, Micro-Hydro and Solar Hot Water – even Tesla Solar Roof Tiles, this article will explore the pros and cons of your renewable energy alternatives.
First up, we’ll discuss Solar “Photovoltaic” or Solar “PV”.
With over 45,000 systems installed on homes around NZ, Solar PV is what most people mean when they say ‘Solar’.
Solar Photovoltaic panels use semiconductors to capture photons from sunlight and convert them into energy to power any electrical appliance in your home. From the lights to your hot water cylinder – even charging an electric car.
Solar PV panels generate electricity whenever the sun is up, no matter what the temperature is outside, with production higher on clear bright days than on cloudy days. When combined with a battery, excess energy produced during the day can be stored to use at night or at peak times when power prices are high.
As specialist Solar PV installers, we see people choosing PV over alternatives like Solar Hot Water and wind every day. With Solar PV, they can get through power cuts, reduce their energy bills and enjoy peace of mind knowing they’ve reduced their impact on the planet. See what some of our customers have to say about their experience with solar here.
Solar Hot Water systems transfer thermal energy, or heat, from the sun directly to water, which is then stored in your hot water cylinder. They are usually installed on a roof, as either flat panels or evacuated tube panels, which feed directly into your hot water cylinder. Solar Hot Water systems usually require a backup booster system, typically operated by gas or electricity.
Think Solar Group does not install Solar Hot Water systems. If you think this option is right for you, make sure you do your research.
While most wind generation in NZ comes from large-scale Wind Farms, small-scale Wind Turbines are available. Micro Wind Generation works by using wind to turn the blades of a turbine, producing kinetic energy. This energy is transferred to a generator which converts it into electricity that can be used to power any electrical appliance in your home. How much energy is produced depends on the strength and consistency of the wind and the size of the turbine blades. Studies in NZ have found that you need an average wind speed of at least 6–8 metres per second (m/s) for a small wind turbine to be economically viable.
Needs minimum average wind speed of 6–8 m/s and non-turbulent air to operate. Which means a turbine must be installed in a clear area with no obstructions. Guidelines recommend above your home at twice the height of the house, or 10 x the height of your house in distance away. This makes turbines most suited to rural areas and are commonly used on boats
Micro hydro systems are an option in very specific circumstances. You’ll need a slope with a continuous source of running water such as a stream or river. To generate hydro electricity you install a water turbine in the water course, which is turned by the water flow and transfers energy into a generator, which can be used as electricity to power your home.
As Tesla Premium Certified Installers, we’re often asked about the Tesla Solar Roof Tile. As the name suggests these are glass or steel roofing tiles that have solar photovoltaic cells integrated into each one. They are designed to be your roofing material and solar panels in one, and are used in place of roofing tiles that you see more commonly in the US and the UK. Tesla Solar Roof tiles are only suitable for new builds, as it can’t be retrofitted. Just like Tesla’s Powerwall battery storage products, the Tesla Solar Roof tiles are beautifully designed and very slick.
Unfortunately, we’ll be waiting a long while yet for Tesla Roof Tiles to be available anywhere outside of the US, let alone in NZ. The concept is still being tested and refined in California, and there are lots of hurdles for Tesla to jump through before we see them taking over roofs around the world.
While micro wind and hydro will work for specific sites, almost every home is suitable for Solar. If you’re only interested in reducing your hot water heating bill, then Solar Hot Water might be worth investigating, but when it comes to generating clean, renewable energy for your home or business, Solar PV stands head and shoulders above Solar Hot Water. Solar PV can power any electrical load or appliance in your home, from your hot water to your car, offering an excellent return on your investment. With Banks offering cheap finance and studies showing it is the cheapest power source available in NZ right now, there’s never been a better time to invest in Solar PV.
Here are some other articles you might find interesting.
Wondering how long solar panels last? We explain warranties, performance guarantees, and what you can expect after 25+ years on the roof.
Not all solar systems are created equal. We unpack what goes into the price, how to avoid a poor investment, and why system size matters.
Understand solar warranties—what they cover, how they differ by component, and what to look for when choosing solar panels, inverters, and batteries.
Learn about the full environmental impact of solar panels—from materials and manufacturing to energy payback, CO2 savings, and recycling at end of life.
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