The rise of solar power needs financing

The delivered cost of solar is now far cheaper than any other source of electricity. (Image: solarzero)

Tue, 19 Mar 2024

A new paper argues that financing for solar power would be the cheapest and most efficient way to electrify the economy.The Electric Houses report, put together by Rewiring Aotearoa and others, argues that rooftop solar is now far cheaper than any other source of electricity with households well placed to cut their costs and reduce emissions.Rewiring Aotearoa is a registered charity working on energy, climate and electrification research, advocacy, and supporting communities.It argues that New Zealand is in a position where the electrification...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets

Fletcher Building still downbeat about FY26

Quarterly volumes indicate further declines in trading volumes.

Rebecca Howard 9:15am

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Monday, Oct 13

Take a break and try our quiz.

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Opinion

Dileepa Fonseka: When the Hopium wears off

Whatever happened to all those green shoots?

Dileepa Fonseka 5:00am

Sponsored

The risks of powering New Zealand’s data boom

Sydney has curbed data centres to save power and water. Can New Zealand plan more wisely?

Dentons

Sponsored

Spedding Rd powers Auckland growth

$56m in new infrastructure unlocks business opportunities.

Oyster Capital Spedding Road

More Infrastructure

Infrastructure

Aratere sold for scrap, price deemed commercially sensitive

The Aratere ferry has been sold to a specialist recycling shipyard in India for an undisclosed amount.“Details of the sale price are commercially sensitive,” Duncan Roy, executive general manager of Interislander, said. The ferry was retired last August to make way for the port...

Rebecca Howard 10 Oct 2025