{"id":65458,"date":"2024-08-21T07:31:16","date_gmt":"2024-08-20T19:31:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/?p=65458"},"modified":"2025-05-20T12:54:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T00:54:50","slug":"electricity-market-mess-rooftop-solar-would-change-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/electricity-market-mess-rooftop-solar-would-change-game\/","title":{"rendered":"NZ\u2019s electricity market is a mess. Rolling out rooftop solar would change the\u00a0game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Wholesale prices in the New Zealand electricity market have soared over recent weeks, climbing as high as NZ$1,000 per megawatt hour. North Island pulp and paper plants have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/business\/pan-pac-mill-shuts-as-power-prices-spike-electricity-authority-weighs-in\/JGMYVEMTPFGC3HQLZEQP2RHJII\/\">temporarily closed<\/a> down because of the spike in costs.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/08\/74264f11-gp04ma6_medium_res-1024x683.jpg\" title=\"Twenty four photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Greenpeace New Zealand building, help generate electricity for the office. Any surplus can be feed back into the grid. The panels were installed in 2009 as part of an ongoing program of environmental management and improvement within the organisation.\" alt=\"Twenty four photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Greenpeace New Zealand building, help generate electricity for the office. Any surplus can be feed back into the grid. The panels were installed in 2009 as part of an ongoing program of environmental management and improvement within the organisation.\" class=\"wp-image-60723\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/08\/74264f11-gp04ma6_medium_res-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/08\/74264f11-gp04ma6_medium_res-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/08\/74264f11-gp04ma6_medium_res-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/08\/74264f11-gp04ma6_medium_res-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/08\/74264f11-gp04ma6_medium_res.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Twenty four photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Greenpeace building, help generate electricity for the office. Any surplus can be feed back into the grid. The panels were installed in 2009 as part of an ongoing program of environmental management and improvement within the organization. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p>Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1news.co.nz\/2024\/08\/08\/shane-jones-accuses-big-power-companies-of-profiteering\/\">accused<\/a> the big energy generators of profiteering, and said the government was investigating ways to force them to cut prices.<\/p>\n\n<p>On top of that, Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced plans to investigate the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nzherald.co.nz\/business\/govt-considering-importing-lng-as-dire-energy-shortfall-bites\/KPYHWOKJTZARFP4WASZVVL4YEU\/\">feasibility of importing<\/a> liquid natural gas (LNG) to help increase gas-generated electricity supply and lower prices in the process.<\/p>\n\n<p>This would entail buying or renting a floating LNG terminal and building out complementary infrastructure such as pipelines. That would take a minimum of a year (more likely two or three years) and would be expensive, with imported gas prices considerably higher.<\/p>\n\n<p>A much better option, we suggest, would be to prioritise the expansion of rooftop solar throughout New Zealand. This could not only add significantly to the overall electricity supply, but also help bring down prices.<\/p>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\nvar gform;gform||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),document.addEventListener(\"gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,themeScriptsLoaded:!1,isFormEditor:()=>\"function\"==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(\"The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 3.1.\"),o(),0))},initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.callIfLoaded(o)||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",()=>{gform.scriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),document.addEventListener(\"gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded\",()=>{gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",()=>{gform.domLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}))},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(\"action\",o,r,e,t)},addFilter:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(\"filter\",o,r,e,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(\"action\",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(\"filter\",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,r){gform.removeHook(\"action\",o,r)},removeFilter:function(o,r,e){gform.removeHook(\"filter\",o,r,e)},addHook:function(o,r,e,t,n){null==gform.hooks[o][r]&&(gform.hooks[o][r]=[]);var d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&&(n=r+\"_\"+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){\"function\"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),\"action\"==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),\"filter\"==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&&(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&&n!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n\n                <div class='gf_browser_gecko gform_wrapper gravity-theme gform-theme--no-framework' data-form-theme='gravity-theme' data-form-index='0' id='gform_wrapper_37' ><div id='gf_37' class='gform_anchor' tabindex='-1'><\/div>\n                        <div class='gform_heading'>\n                            <h2 class=\"gform_title\">PETITION: Choose the Clean Energy Future<\/h2>\n                            <p class='gform_description'><\/p>\n                        <\/div><form method='post' enctype='multipart\/form-data' target='gform_ajax_frame_37' id='gform_37'  action='\/aotearoa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65458#gf_37' data-formid='37' novalidate>\n                        <div class='gform-body gform_body'><div id='gform_fields_37' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below validation_below'><div id=\"field_37_57\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-honeypot gform_validation_container field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_37_57'>Instagram<\/label><div class='ginput_container'><input name='input_57' id='input_37_57' type='text' value='' autocomplete='new-password'\/><\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_37_57'>This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.<\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_37\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_37' id='input_37_37' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='gpao.energy.stopfossilgas.petition' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_39\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_39' id='input_37_39' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='701On00000C80SWIAZ' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_55\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-html gfield--width-full gfield_html gfield_html_formatted gfield_no_follows_desc field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><h3>Add your name<\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-size:20px;\">We call on the Luxon Govt to embrace a Clean Energy Future for NZ by investing in solar and wind generation, and rejecting new fossil fuel generation, new oil and gas exploration and all plans for a new fossil gas import facility.<\/p><\/div><div id=\"field_37_48\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_48' id='input_37_48' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='Re: The Clean Energy Future' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_11\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_11' id='input_37_11' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_35\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_35' id='input_37_35' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_34\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_34' id='input_37_34' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_33\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_33' id='input_37_33' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_36\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_36' id='input_37_36' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_3\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield--width-half gform_petition_tracking gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_37_3'>First name<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_3' id='input_37_3' type='text' value='' class='large'    placeholder='First name' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_4\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield--width-half gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_37_4'>Last name<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_4' id='input_37_4' type='text' value='' class='large'    placeholder='Last name' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_17\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-email gfield--width-full gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_37_17'>Email<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_email'>\n                            <input name='input_17' id='input_37_17' type='email' value='' class='large'   placeholder='Email' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"  \/>\n                        <\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_51\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-select gfield--width-quarter gf_phone_country field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_37_51'>Country<\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_select'><select name='input_51' id='input_37_51' class='large gfield_select'     aria-invalid=\"false\" ><option value='NZ' >NZ<\/option><\/select><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_52\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield--width-three-quarter gf_phone field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_37_52'>Phone<\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_52' id='input_37_52' type='text' value='' class='large'    placeholder='Phone'  aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><fieldset id=\"field_37_46\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-checkbox gfield--type-choice gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible custom-control\"  data-field-class=\"custom-control\" ><legend class='gfield_label gform-field-label gfield_label_before_complex' >Consent<\/legend><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_checkbox'><div class='gfield_checkbox ' id='input_37_46'><div class='gchoice gchoice_37_46_1'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input class='gfield-choice-input' name='input_46.1' type='checkbox'  value='Checked' checked='checked' id='choice_37_46_1'   \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_37_46_1' id='label_37_46_1' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>I am happy to receive email updates from Greenpeace about important campaigns. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/privacy\/?_ga=2.99809942.989746022.1663124527-2085805950.1658956545\" target=\"_blank\">Read our privacy policy<\/a><\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/fieldset><div id=\"field_37_53\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-html gfield--width-full gfield_html gfield_html_formatted gfield_no_follows_desc field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><script\nsrc=\"https:\/\/cdn.jsdelivr.net\/npm\/libphonenumber-js@1.9.14\/bundle\/libphonenumber-max.js\"\nintegrity=\"sha256-0XOp1tkx9lc2cnYWuF6CbEULUsgVtaJz38jBd24iveE=\"\ncrossorigin=\"anonymous\"\n><\/script>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/ajax.googleapis.com\/ajax\/libs\/jquery\/3.6.0\/jquery.min.js\"><\/script>\n<\/script>\n<script>\n\n\nvar debug = false;\n\n\/\/ Build array with all URL Params for later use\nvar params = {};\nlocation.search\n    .substr(1)\n    .split(\"&\")\n    .forEach(function (item) {\n        params[item.split(\"=\")[0]] = item.split(\"=\")[1];\n    });\n\n\/\/ Debug URL Param\nif (decodeURIComponent(params[\"d\"]) == \"1\") {\n    debug = true;\n}\n\nif (debug) {\n    console.log(\"\ud83d\udc9a Debug Flag Enabled\");\n}\n\/\/ We will use this later to pass into function\nlet country = \"NZ\";\n\nfunction validationErrors(element, type, customErrorMessage) {\n    if (type == \"phoneLength\") {\n        if (customErrorMessage == \"ok\") {\n            phoneOK = true;\n            $(\"input[class='gform_button button']\").attr(\"disabled\", false);\n            $(\"input[class='gf_phone']\").css(\"border-color\", \"#6f7376\");\n            $(\"div[class='gfield_description validation_message gfield_validation_message phone']\")\n                .text(\"\")\n                .hide()\n            console.log(\"green\");\n        } else {\n            element.attr(\"data-validation-message\", customErrorMessage);\n            phoneOK = false;\n            $(\"input[class='gform_button button']\").attr(\"disabled\", true);\n            $(\"input[class='gf_phone']\").css(\"border-color\", \"red\");\n            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document.querySelector('.gf_phone_country').getElementsByTagName('select')[0].value; \/\/ get input value\n        inputPhoneValidator(inputNumber); \/\/ run asyoutype input validator to update country check\n    });\n\ndocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", (event) => {\n    \/\/ Get all Supported Countries\n    const countryCodes = new libphonenumber.getCountries();\n    \/\/ Get DropDown Element\n    let countrySelectEl = document.querySelector('.gf_phone_country').getElementsByTagName('select')[0];\n\n    \/\/ Populate Dropdown with all supported Country Codes\n    for (var i = 0; i < countryCodes.length; i++) {\n        var opt = countryCodes[i];\n        var el = document.createElement(\"option\");\n        el.textContent = opt;\n        el.value = opt;\n        countrySelectEl.appendChild(el);\n    }\n    if (debug) {\n        console.log(countryCodes);\n    }\n});\n\ndocument.addEventListener(\"submit\", ()=>{\n    var phoneInput = document.querySelector('.gf_phone').lastElementChild.lastElementChild.value;\n    var formattedPhone = formatPhoneNumber(phoneInput);\n    document.getElementsByName(\"input_42\")[0].value = formattedPhone.mobile; \n    document.getElementsByName(\"input_43\")[0].value = formattedPhone.landline; \n    document.getElementsByName(\"input_44\")[0].value = formattedPhone.transformed_phone;\n})\n\n<\/script><\/div><div id=\"field_37_27\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_27' id='input_37_27' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_37_28\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below 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low hydro-lake levels, combined with a <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/nz-is-running-out-of-gas-literally-thats-good-for-the-climate-but-its-bad-news-for-the-economy-235645\">long-term reduction<\/a> in the supply of natural gas. Exacerbating this is the market power wielded by the big electricity generator-retailer companies (\u201cgentailers\u201d), which are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rnz.co.nz\/news\/top\/524482\/shane-jones-accuses-big-power-companies-of-profiteering\">set up to profit<\/a> during times of scarcity.<\/p>\n\n<p>Electricity supplied by gas-fired generation has steadily declined. Since 2015, almost 600 megawatts of gas plant capacity has been decommissioned, with no new additions.<\/p>\n\n<p>The Electricity Authority\u2019s 2023 study, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ea.govt.nz\/documents\/3148\/Ensuring_an_Orderly_Thermal_Transition_6_June_20231397102.1_1.pdf\">Ensuring an Orderly Thermal Transition<\/a>\u201d, found the decline in gas-powered generation will continue. By 2032, this thermal generation is projected to be just 1.4% of total generation, compared to 14% currently.<\/p>\n\n<p>An <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ea.govt.nz\/news\/eye-on-electricity\/natural-gas-and-the-electricity-sector-transition\/\">updated announcement<\/a> from the Electricity Authority in June this year says Contact Energy\u2019s largest thermal gas unit will retire this year or next. Furthermore, Genesis Energy has announced plans to use biomass to power some of its gas turbines.<\/p>\n\n<p>Existing gas generation will increasingly struggle to compete on price with new wind and solar renewables, which are getting cheaper all the time.<\/p>\n\n<p>Grid-scale renewable electricity supply is expanding gradually. By 2025, there are expected to be 270 megawatts of new geothermal, 786 megawatts of additional solar, and 40 megawatts of new wind power. The combined total would add almost 10% to the country\u2019s yearly electricity production.<\/p>\n\n<p>To alleviate the energy supply shortfalls primarily attributable to low rainfall, we suggest rapidly expanding cheap solar photovoltaics (PV), specifically rooftop solar for ordinary households. Our soon-to-be-published <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/scl\/fi\/914puxuofcrwot6spv5gi\/Can-NZ-learn-FINAL-inc-abstract.pdf?e=1\">research<\/a> suggests such capacity can be expanded quickly and cheaply.<\/p>\n\n<p>Based on the Australian experience, we estimate modest subsidies for the capital cost of installing solar rooftop systems would add the equivalent of 700 megawatts a year (2% of the total) to the electricity supply. This significant new supply will reduce electricity prices.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2024\/08\/7f1f69c3-clyde_dam_with_power_station_frontview.jpg\" alt=\"Clyde Dam with Clyde Power Station Otago New Zealand\" class=\"wp-image-65460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2024\/08\/7f1f69c3-clyde_dam_with_power_station_frontview.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2024\/08\/7f1f69c3-clyde_dam_with_power_station_frontview-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2024\/08\/7f1f69c3-clyde_dam_with_power_station_frontview-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2024\/08\/7f1f69c3-clyde_dam_with_power_station_frontview-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clyde Dam with Clyde Power Station Otago New Zealand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-nz-s-energy-advantage\">NZ\u2019s energy advantage<\/h2>\n\n<p>New Zealand is in the enviable position of already having abundant hydro power capacity. But with increasingly uncertain rainfall due to changing climate patterns, adding widely distributed rooftop solar would mean the country was less vulnerable to lower lake levels.<\/p>\n\n<p>This would mean the precious water flowing into the hydro lakes could be held back in the dams to meet evening peaks when solar is no longer available.<\/p>\n\n<p>Other countries \u2013 most notably Australia, Italy, Germany, Spain and Portugal \u2013 have made much more progress than New Zealand in the expansion of photovoltaics. The European Commission has adopted policies to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.solarpowereurope.org\/press-releases\/eu-rooftop-solar-standard-alone-could-solar-power-56-million-homes\">double rooftop solar<\/a> over the next four years.<\/p>\n\n<p>Australia\u2019s energy market operator expects rooftop solar (which already supplies almost three times as much electricity annually as gas generators do) will <a href=\"https:\/\/aemo.com.au\/-\/media\/files\/major-publications\/isp\/2024\/2024-integrated-system-plan-isp.pdf?la=en\">become the dominant source<\/a> of electricity supply over the next two decades.<\/p>\n\n<p>None of those countries have the energy storage advantage New Zealand has. And they are all now having to develop expensive grid-scale battery solutions to store solar power produced in the middle of the day for evening use.<\/p>\n\n<p>New Zealand\u2019s huge hydro storage advantage means photovoltaics, particularly rooftop systems, can unlock real benefits for customers.<\/p>\n\n<p>This could mean shifting the management of the legacy hydro assets to provide a high-value product \u2013 stored energy \u2013 rather than the gentailers simply using hydro generation to maximise profits.<\/p>\n\n<p>There may even be an argument for revisiting the current market framework and returning those hydro assets to public ownership.<\/p>\n\n<p>In the meantime, we encourage the energy minister to make the expansion of rooftop solar the top option for expanding the electricity supply and tackling the gentailer power that bedevils the market. He will almost certainly find it quicker, cheaper and more popular than importing gas.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<section\n\t\t\tclass=\"boxout   sticky-bottom-mobile collapse show\"\n\t\t\tid=\"action-card\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Image\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"cover-card-overlay\"\n\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/petition.act.greenpeace.org.nz\/climate-solarisenz?source=actioncallout\" target=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/08\/74264f11-gp04ma6_medium_res-1024x683.jpg\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/08\/74264f11-gp04ma6_medium_res-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/08\/74264f11-gp04ma6_medium_res-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/08\/74264f11-gp04ma6_medium_res-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/08\/74264f11-gp04ma6_medium_res-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2023\/08\/74264f11-gp04ma6_medium_res.jpg 1200w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 358px, (min-width: 780px) 313px, 88px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Twenty four photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Greenpeace New Zealand building, help generate electricity for the office. Any surplus can be feed back into the grid. The panels were installed in 2009 as part of an ongoing program of environmental management and improvement within the organisation.\" title=\"Twenty four photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Greenpeace New Zealand building, help generate electricity for the office. Any surplus can be feed back into the grid. The panels were installed in 2009 as part of an ongoing program of environmental management and improvement within the organisation.\"\n\t\t\t\t\/>\n            \t\t\t<div class=\"boxout-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"boxout-heading medium\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-category=\"Take Action Boxout\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-action=\"Title\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-ga-label=\"n\/a\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/petition.act.greenpeace.org.nz\/climate-solarisenz?source=actioncallout\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPETITION: Solarise our homes!\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"boxout-excerpt\">Call on Energy Minister Simeon Brown to put solar panels and batteries on 500k homes by 2030 and end oil and gas subsidies.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t                \t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"not-now\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-bs-toggle=\"collapse\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#action-card\"\n\t\t\t\t><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/stephen-poletti-1634675\">Stephen Poletti<\/a>, Associate Professor Energy Economics, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/university-of-auckland-waipapa-taumata-rau-1305\">University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau<\/a><\/em>; <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/bruce-mountain-141253\">Bruce Mountain<\/a>, Professor and Director, Victoria Energy Policy Centre, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/victoria-university-1175\">Victoria University<\/a><\/em>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/geoff-bertram-1134427\">Geoff Bertram<\/a>, Visiting Scholar, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/te-herenga-waka-victoria-university-of-wellington-1200\">Te Herenga Waka \u2014 Victoria University of Wellington<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">This article is republished from <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/nzs-electricity-market-is-a-mess-rolling-out-rooftop-solar-would-change-the-game-236943\">original article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-beige-100-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size\">This article\u00a0is a guest post and doesn&#8217;t necessarily represent the views of Greenpeace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prioritising the expansion of rooftop solar throughout NZ would add significantly to the overall electricity supply, and help bring down prices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":60723,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_planet4_optimize_post_is_variant":false,"_planet4_optimize_experiment_name":"","_planet4_optimize_variant_name":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false,"p4_og_title":"","p4_og_description":"","p4_og_image":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-aotearoa-stateless\/2024\/08\/ced1cf91-greenpeace-solar-panels.jpg","p4_og_image_id":"65468","p4_seo_canonical_url":"","p4_campaign_name":"","p4_local_project":"","p4_basket_name":"","p4_department":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[16,29],"p4-page-type":[6],"class_list":["post-65458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-greenpeace","tag-climate","tag-clean-energy","p4-page-type-story"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.8 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>NZ\u2019s electricity market is a mess. Rolling out rooftop solar would change the\u00a0game<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/aotearoa\/story\/electricity-market-mess-rooftop-solar-would-change-game\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"NZ\u2019s electricity market is a mess. 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