Lighter solar panels could shake up domestic market

Lighter solar panels could shake up domestic market
The lightweight solar panels installed on Ara Ake's roof could open up the NZ domestic market. (Image: Ara Ake)
Greg Hurrell
Lightweight solar panels developed by a Netherlands company could greatly open up the domestic rooftop market, Ara Ake says. The Government set up Ara Ake in 2020 to make new ideas in renewable electricity commercially viable. It has just installed solar panels on its own roof. Given Ara Ake’s remit, perhaps the obvious question is – what took it so long to install its own panels? Two years ago, Ara Ake moved to a refurbished building. But the roof couldn't take the weight of traditional solar panels.That meant having...

More Technology

Time to put NZ tech first
Opinion

Peter Griffin: Time to put NZ tech first

NZ's tech future hinges on breaking with tradition and betting big on local ingenuity.

NZ-based Kami acquires UK education platform
Technology

NZ-based Kami acquires UK education platform

Kami's education platform is widely used in the United States.

F&P Healthcare urges Govt to shut patent loophole
Markets

F&P Healthcare urges Govt to shut patent loophole

The company says the current patent loophole threatens its NZ operations.

Michael Neilson 16 Sep 2025