Five Upper Clutha community organisations are vying for the chance to win free solar power for two decades in a new local competition.

New Zealand residential solar market company solarZero is gifting a free 20-year solar energy service to one deserving local group as part of its inaugural Solar Futures competition. 

The prize equates to cheaper energy bills for the winner and access to a solar service valued at $45,000.

The company considered more than 20 community groups and sports clubs in the Upper Clutha before confirming St John Wānaka, Upper Clutha Rugby Club, Wānaka Cricket (Luggate Albion Cricket Club), Dance Wānaka, and Hāwea Playgroup as the five finalists. 

The organisation that receives the greatest number of votes from the public by August 10, via an online voting platform, will win the free 20-year solar energy service - complete with access to a 16-panel solar system and battery storage. 

The prize also includes monitoring, battery optimisation, support during outages, repairs, replacements and ongoing firmware updates for 20 years.

“We believe in the power of community, and we especially want to support Wānaka’s community groups that put so much energy into the growth of children and young people,” solarZero CEO Matthew Ward said. 

“But instead of solarZero picking the group that will receive free solar power, it is only fitting for locals to choose their favourite community group.”

Matthew said the business’s initial launch into the local market in 2021 didn’t go as smoothly as expected, with it experiencing some growing pains when Wānaka customer demand exceeded expectations.

“Over the past 12 months, we have invested a lot into understanding what went wrong, rectifying issues with our current customers and ensuring the local community is fully supported, with a dedicated on-the-ground Wānaka team,” Matthew said.

He said the Solar Futures competition was one way to extend goodwill back into the community.

Each finalist also has the chance to receive thousands of dollars in cash from solarZero through solarZero’s community referral programme. 

Each group receives a unique referral code, and if Upper Clutha homeowners enquire, sign up and install a solarZero residential solar system using the finalist’s referral code, then the finalist receives $1,000 cash for every completed install. 

“The Solar Futures competition allows us to assist these groups by reducing the financial burden of increasing power bills, so they can reinvest in their own organisation and continue the great work that they’re doing,” Matthew said.

“We encourage everyone in the Upper Clutha community to get voting.”

PHOTO: Supplied