An increase in the number of Wānaka households embracing solar power has prompted New Zealand’s largest solar energy company to establish a permanent base in town.

This week, solarZero officially opens its brand-new showroom and office in Three Parks, to help meet the local demand for cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy.

solarZero CEO Matt Ward says solar uptake in parts of Central Otago (specifically, Wānaka, Upper Clutha and Cromwell) are two-and-a-half times higher (7%) than the national average of 2.6% (as of June 2023, according to Electricity Authority data).

While the cost of power is just one factor in the shift towards solar – people in Wānaka, Queenstown and other parts of Central Otago want to participate in clean, renewable energy consumption, with the bonus of having resilience if the power goes out, Ward adds.

Like many regions in NZ, Wānaka and Queenstown are considered vulnerable to disruption from significant weather events or earthquakes.

“We cannot hope to reach our renewable energy targets and strengthen our grid without people embracing solar and battery storage. We all have a role to play in moving towards clean energy with generation, storage and grid services that keep the power system reliable, secure and safe as we work towards achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030,” he says.

solarZero Queenstown Lakes territory manager Scott Kiddey says: “The rising number of customers choosing solar as an additional energy source is welcome news for Central Otago and everyone in the Wānaka community,” Kiddey says. “Solar with a battery is a great option for offsetting energy costs, as well as providing energy security during unexpected blackouts.”

Kiddey leads a team of seven local solar installers and sales staff, working from the new Wānaka office at 7 McCormick Street. The interactive showroom features solar panels on the roof, an operational smart battery, and an interactive web portal that allows visitors to explore solar energy first-hand.

"With a sales and installation team here on the ground, we can deliver the best service for our new and existing customers," he says. "It means we're not just a voice on the end of the phone."

Kiddey brings a wealth of experience to his role, having previously worked at The Warehouse Group, and at times leading a team of more than 170 employees. Kiddey and his team have been the point of contact during solarZero’s Solar Futures competition, and will support the winning community group through the installation and maintenance of its solar energy service.

The solarZero showroom and office will open in Three Parks on August 15.