Solar Power
The Week in Detail: From craft beer to Barbie
The Detail podcast brings you the issues behind the news every weekday. Here's what we covered this week. Audio
Long Read: Our renewable power struggle
By George Driver: Millions of panels could soon be erected across thousands of hectares of the country as an unprecedented solar-farm boom begins. Audio
Off grid and farming carbon
Former Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown lives in a tiny off-grid house and regenerates native forest on a former sheep and beef farm on the flanks of the Tararua mountain range. The carbon… Audio
Sunshine science: the power and peril of the sun’s rays
Summer is on its way, and this week we're exploring both the power and the peril of the sun. First, we visit the Ultrafast Laser Lab to learn about efforts to create better solar panels. Then, we hear… Audio
In search of better solar power
Summer is coming, and all we can think about is that sweet, sweet sunshine. Meet Dr Michael Price: a researcher using lasers to find better, more efficient solar panel materials.
Coming up
Solar farm approved for Waikato to power 30,000 homes
A UK based energy company has been granted approval to develop a solar farm in Waikato which will generate electricity to power 30,000 homes. The Environmental Protection Authority has approved… Audio
Can NZ hit its renewable electricity goal?
The government's set an ambitious target of hitting 100 percent of electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030 – but it is achievable? Audio
Christchurch Airport develops 400ha renewable energy park
It looked like a hard sell - land stuck next to a noisy neighbour - an international airport, with high voltage cables directly overhead.
But Christchurch Airport has found a solution, devoting 400… Audio
My Current Song: Hello Hello by The Eyes Open (ft Aly Cook)
Kiwi country singer Aly Cook has strong ties to the Aussie music scene, so it's perhaps no surprise that she's working as part of a New Zealand and Australian music collective. The Eyes Open's new… Audio
Solar suitable: the economies of installing home solar power
Does installing solar power at home eventually pay for itself? According to Consumer New Zealand, it all depends whether you are "solar-suitable". Factors include: how much sun your house gets, the… Audio
Summer Series - Kidding Around
Wee newborns are popping out right, left and centre on James Hills' dairy goat farm. His farm sign says "Jebel 5, only the best for our goats." In Afrikaans Jebel means joyous and he says if you can't… Audio
First Song - Solar Power by Lorde
First song, the new one from Lorde, out today and entitled 'Solar Power'. Audio
Calling Home: Flick Taylor in Laikipia County, Kenya
Flick Taylor is currently living in a tent on her and husband Sam's plot in Laikipia County in Kenya while the family build a new home. It's a world away from her early upbringing on a farm in rural… Audio
Why those 100 percent renewable energy plans fall short
New Zealand's not far off achieving 100 percent renewable energy - but is that really our best bet for combating climate change? Audio
The Suburban Solar Conundrum
The combination of solar panels, electricity storage batteries, smart household gadgets, and a boring looking black box is set to change forever how our electricity system works.
But do we need… Audio
Solar energy hack
Can mirrors boost solar panel output - and help overcome Trump's tariffs? In the US, a new 30 percent tariff on imported solar panels is focussing attention back on a decidedly analogue way to do more… Audio
Warning urged over waterborne Legionnaires' risk
A Christchurch woman who had two family members die from Legionnaire's disease is warning people who heat their water with heat pumps to make sure they're not at risk. Ruth Nicholson says a system… Audio
Tonga gets its first private power station
Tonga has commissioned its first privately owned solar power farm and there are more in the pipeline. Audio
Bionic leaf 'game-changer' in renewable tech
A bionic leaf which turns sunlight into liquid fuel has been developed by scientists in the US. Video, Audio
Dateline Pacific morning edition for 1 August 2017
Catholic Church leaders hope deported religious lay worker Doug Tennent will be let back into Papua New Guinea; Where the political landscape remains fluid as crucial vote approaches; A new tool to… Audio