Solar Power
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
Challenge to solar surcharge fails in court
Lines company Unison has won a legal battle to protect extra fees it imposed on electricity customers with solar panels in their homes.
Energy report on solar self serving - solar lobbyist
The chairman of the Sustainable Electricity Association, Brendan Winitana, says the report that says alternative energy is too expensive for low income families overlooks the different ways that… Audio
The power-giving potential of perovskite
An Oxford materials science professor says a material called perovskite can significantly improve the performance of photovoltaic cells. Audio
Tech news: Future drones
Peter Griffin with tech news. How Facebook wants to use a solar-powered drone to provide free internet access to Africa, and could delivery drones really bring goods to our homes one day? Audio
Charging solar panel users more 'illegal'- panel supplier
A solar panel supplier is trying to stop a power lines company from charging people more if they've installed solar panels. Audio
Energy analyst says solar still expensive
An energy sector analyst says it is unlikely solar power will spread widely throughout the country and is expensive to install. Audio
Another lines company ponders solar charge
Lines company Eastland Group is considering following Hawke's Bay lines company Unison by imposing an extra lines charge on people using solar panels.
Commerce Commission shies away from solar surcharge
The Commerce Commission insists it has no role to play in a surcharge being imposed on most solar power connections in Hawke's Bay, Rotorua and Taupo.
Solar panels vs electric cars - what's greener?
Last week the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Jan Wright, suprised many when she came out in support of a report written by Wellington based Concept Consulting. The report says that… Audio
Christina Bu: electric vehicles in Norway
Secretary General of the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association who visited New Zealand as a guest of Drive Electric to talk about Norway's world-leading uptake of electric vehicles. Audio
Significant change coming to energy sector - solar company
An Auckland solar power company is predicting a big shake up in the way energy is generated and distributed to homes and businesses. Audio
Not Solar - Dr Jan Wright
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is calling for people to take notice of a report suggesting that electric cars help combat climate change, but solar panels do little. The report by… Audio
Solar invention pumps water uphill
A solar water pump system that helps get much-needed water to stock on remote hill country farms has captured international interest.
Don't rush into solar, says Electricity Authority
The Electricity Authority is warning that rapid investment in solar technology with back-up batteries could be an expensive mistake. Audio
China's second richest person goes AWOL
A solar power magnate has lost 20 billion dollars in an hour as his firm's share price tanked. Audio
Taking cycleways beyond pedal power
A 70-metre stretch of cycle path in the Netherlands has just become the world's first public roadway with embedded solar panels. Sten de Wit of SolaRoad can see the possibilities. Audio
Solar power supporters angry energy firms are slashing payments
As we have been reporting supporters of solar power are outraged two energy companies have slashed the price they pay to buy excess energy generated by customers. Audio
Meridian defends cuts to solar buy back rate
Supporters of solar power are angry both Meridian and Contact Energy have cut the rate they pay to buy back excess energy generated by customers. Audio