Solar energy, no capital cost

A growing number of schools across Hawkes Bay and beyond are taking a lead in sustainability and installing solar systems through a unique payment model, offered by Integrated Energy.

Integrated Energy aim to provide quality solutions, allowing schools to achieve more sustainable practices by installing, maintaining and managing the entire process for schools, at no capital cost. The system is paid back through the solar energy generated and then used by the school as an alternative to energy from the grid. There are no extra costs involved and savings start from the moment the system is enlivened.

In 2022, Integrated Energy worked closely with the Ministry of Education to develop an approvals process and energy contract which is standardised for all schools and allows all parties to have a thorough understanding of what’s involved.

Integrated Energy worked with several schools in 2022 including the oldest state secondary school in Hawkes Bay: Napier Boys High School who stated that there was “Minimal disruption and a really quick and easy process for the school to go through.”

Both Onekawa School and Tamatea Intermediate in Napier were keen to see the benefits of solar for their schools along with being able to use the data provided by Integrated Energy’s solar monitoring systems to educate students on the impact of solar. The 40kW system installed at Onekawa School will produce around 80percent of the school’s overall energy use annually.

Jo Smith, Principal of Tamatea Intermediate in Napier, said “We are delighted with our new solar panels and the learning opportunities this has created for our tamariki”.

Students of today are our future leaders and decision-makers and by making sustainable practices more accessible, we can foster imagination for future projects and hopefully the protection of our planet.

Integrated Energy’s vision is to be a leading provider of solar energy solutions contributing to New Zealand’s goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. The opportunity is available to all schools to partner with Integrated Energy on New Zealand’s sustainability journey.