Overview

Every day, tons of toxic gas is poured into the atmosphere, produced from the burning of fossil fuels to generate energy required for complex human systems. The more energy you use from your non-renewable utility provider, the more energy you use from non-renewable resources, the more harm is done to the environment. Solar power systems generate clean, pure energy from the sun. The use of solar panels made from solar cells is a clean alternative, and is a very environmentally friendly alternative to the burning of fossil fuels. When you install solar panels on your home, you help combat greenhouse gas emissions and their effects on global warming. You will also be doing something positive towards reducing our collective dependence on fossil fuel.

Some of New Zealand's electricity is generated from fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. When fossil fuels are burned to create energy, they emit toxic gases that are the primary cause of pollution and global warming.

Not only are the fossil fuels bad for the environment, they are also a finite resource. Their limited availability creates a volatile market in which energy prices can skyrocket in a short period of time.

New Zealand is dependent on fossil fuels that are imported from unstable countries. And our dependency is increasing. Solar energy is a great way to free yourself from dependence on polluting, non-renewable energy sources such as your local coal, oil, or natural gas power plant.

Clean

Non-renewable energy sources such as coal, nuclear reactors and hydroelectric dams all have negative impacts on the environment. Coal produces carbon emissions and pollutes the air. Nuclear power leaves hazardous waste behind in the earth and water. And hydroelectric dams disrupt the ecosystem of our rivers. Solar power on the other hand, produces no harmful gases or toxic by-products. It is the cleanest form of energy currently available. This makes solar energy far more eco-friendly than non-renewable sources. Moreover, solar power is completely silent. Unlike wind energy or oil extraction, solar energy does not disrupt the local environment or annoy people.

Sustainable

Solar is the most sustainable form of energy we know of. Coal, natural gas and oil are all finite resources, and someday the supply will give out. The sun provides a constant and consistent power source. It won’t ever run out and can provide electricity for our world indefinitely. Moreover, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) observes, the sun produces more energy in one hour than the entire planet could use in a year. In addition, it won’t contribute to global climate change and doesn’t require hazardous waste disposal like nuclear power.

Climate change and the global economy

Solar is a building block of a new carbon-free clean energy future. It’s clear that with all the wonderful advantages solar power offers, this new form of renewable energy will continue to grow in popularity year by year – especially in a country such as New Zealand which is so well suited to it. Our country's most important and compelling selling point in key international markets is our clean, green, brand.

If we were able to put solar systems on 90% of homes across the country, the collective savings would be over half a billion dollars a year and we would stop about 450,000 tonnes of carbon entering the atmosphere every year. To put this in context, it's the equivalent of 1,178,090 trips between Auckland and Invercargill travelled by a 1.5 to 2L petrol car.