Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown says her council is keen to trial solar technology as a viable alternative to relying on grid electricity for council buildings.
Her comment follows the recent installation of solar panels on the roof of the Karori Recreation Centre to reduce running costs.
Ms Wade-Brown says the cost of installing solar panels has come down significantly in the past five years, and the Karori trial will help the council get an idea on the pay-back on its investment.
She sais the council has also made it easier for people to install solar panels on private houses by removing the requirement to get resource consent.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority contributed $8000 towards the $19,000 cost of the Karori project.
