Hato Hone St John Wānaka has celebrated the installation of a brand new solar system with a community blessing ceremony on Monday (June 24) at its premises on Link Way.

Last year St John won access to a solar subscription valued at $45,000 in SolarZero’s Solar Future Competition, and the system is now installed and operating.

“Adding solar panels and a battery is a game changer for us,” St John Wānaka chairperson Dell Taylor said.

“With a SolarZero system, we have the assurance we’ll be able to operate during civil emergencies when our community needs us the most.” 

Solar Zero territory manager Scott Kiddey, Solar Zero head of engineering Mark Eagles, St John Wānaka chairperson Dell Taylor, and St John Central Otago operations manager David Baillie.

SolarZero chief executive Matt Ward said it was a privilege to support St John with “reliable, renewable energy that contributes to the region’s resilience as a whole”.

Dell said the system will result in lower energy bills for the next two decades which will help St John focus on its community care initiatives beyond just providing ambulance services – including its youth cadet programme, outreach therapy pet programme and first-aid training.

“It was a pleasure to bring the local community together and celebrate installing our system, and how it’ll help us continue serving our region,” Dell said.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App