New Zealand

• Integrated Unglazed Solar Panel Development (2010)-

  This is a presentation of the research done by the Environmental Energy Solutions Ltd. for the development and testing of their prototype solar heat system. The particularities consisted in the large, low cost solar collector integrated into the roof or wall cladding system and its integrated water sourced heat pump and thermal storage system. A prototype was installed on a house in Wellington, providing year-round performance data. This report was done with the support of the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.

• Harnessing the Power of the Sun: Future of Solar Energy (2009)-

  Owing to the significant potential that the country is offering, New Zealand’s Solar Industry association tries to promote the use of solar technologies in different sectors. The presentation comprises an outline of the available solar technologies – passive, photovoltaic and solar thermal – and gives a more in-depth description of the latter given its multiple advantages and spread within the country.

• Case Study: Dairy Farmers Milk Free Energy (2009)-

  This case study is the result of a partnership between New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), the country’s dairy farmers and technical experts, showing the benefits of solar water heating and waste heat recovery systems used to reduce energy costs.

• A Guide to Buying Solar Water Heating (2009)-

  Because of the climatic conditions of New Zealand and the positive impact of solar water heating technologies the country’s authorities encourage the use of this type of installations. This resulted in the issuing of a free guide by the country’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

• Longterm solar water heating programme in New Zealand-

  The Government of New Zealand agreed in November 2006 to a five and a half year solar water heating programme with a total budget of NZD 15.5 million for the first three and a half years on top of the existing Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) funding. Funding levels for the final two years will be decided after a review in 2009. The programme increases demand through information, demonstration and promotional programmes, and direct financial incentives.

   

• Experimental and Simulated Performance of Commercially Available Solar and Heat-pump Water Heaters in New Zealand (2005)-

  The article was written by the researchers S.E. Thomas and C.R. Lloyd from the University of Otago, New Zealand, and published by the New Zealand Solar Industries Association. Their research comes in the context of governmental efforts to increase the penetration of solar hot water heaters in domestic applications in order to enhance energy efficiency of domestic housing.

• New Zealand: SolarCity receives carboNZero Certificate-

  SolarCity New Zealand Limited has been building, retailing and installing solar hot water systems for 30 years. To receive the carboNZero certification, the company has measured its greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to ISO 14064-1:2006 and has pledged to reduce them further. The carboNZero programme was established in 2001 by Landcare Research New Zealand Limited, a research institute owned by the New Zealand government. Since a merger with collector manufacturer and system supplier Solar Technology Systems Ltd in 2010, SolarCity has become New Zealand’s largest solar company and has, meanwhile, begun to offer off-grid and grid-connected PV systems as well.
  Photo: SolarCity

• Solar Cooling. A Review of Technology, and Feasibility Study for Ager Sectus Winery, Blenhein, New Zealand (2010)-

  This document reports the results of a study undertaken at the Ager Sectus Winery, near Blenheim, in New Zealand. The study looked at different solar cooling technologies and their possible use in the winery. The document starts by explaining the different solar cooling technologies (PV, heat engine, absorption chiller, etc). Solar thermal absorption cooling is the most popular air-conditioning application and is used in different parts of the world. The performance of the systems is still variable, but the average payback period is of 15-20 years.

• “Made in Taiwan is a brand name which still sells” -

  Taiwan remains a country strongly dominated by flat plate collectors. Solarthermalworld.org spoke with local solar thermal manufacturers and planners about the advantages of the technology in comparison to vacuum tubes. The photo shows an installation at the elementary school in the municipality of Jin-Yue - planned and installed by Taiwanese company Wang Aun.
  Photo: Wang Aun

• Manual for Structural Assessment for Installation in Domestic Dwellings (2003)-

  This document, prepared by the New Zealand Solar Industry Association (SIA), is an example of a guide explaining how to evaluate domestic timber framed dwellings for the installation of solar collectors and store tanks placed on the roof. The manual was intended to supplement the standard NZS3604 and identify when specific engineering design is required.

• A Guide to Applying for a Building Consent for a Solar Water Heating System Installation (2009)-

  This document, prepared by the New Zealand Solar Industry Association (SIA), is an example of a guide explaining how to obtain approval from a building consent authority for a solar thermal system installation.

  This guide was done with the support of SWH suppliers, builders, homeowners’ agents and architects by explaining typical information needed for a SWH building consent application. It is meant to assist in preparing plans, specifications and general documentation needed for a building consent application.

• Instructions SIA Complaint Procedures (2004)-

  This document was produced by the New Zealand Solar Industries Association to help consumers on what to do in case there is a concern or a problem with an installed system.

  In such situations, the issue should be raised with the supplier or installer. The supplier or installer who sold the system is responsible for all aspects of the system installed and for ensuring that the product performs adequately for the purpose for which it has been sold.

• New Zealand: Solar Heat Specialists merge-

  Collector manufacturer Solar City New Zealand Ltd and system integrator Solar Technology Systems Ltd have merged to form one of New Zealand´s largest solar businesses. 

• Seizing the Solar Solution: Combating Climate Change through Accelerated Deployment (2009)-

  This report was published on December 2009, parallel to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) summit taking place in Copenhagen, to bring authorities' attention to solar energy and the relevant contribution it can provide to reducing GHG emissions.

• Australia and New Zealand: Design Handbook for Large-scale Systems -

  The Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA) and Sustainability Victoria jointly produced the Large Scale Solar Thermal Systems Design Handbook, which provides guidance in best practice approaches for designing large-scale solar hot water systems.

• Code of Practice for Manufacture and Installation of Solar Water Heating Systems in New Zealand (2004)-

  This Code of Practice was published by the New Zealand Solar Industries Association (SIA) to provide guidance to manufacturers, suppliers, and purchasers of solar hot water systems on manufacturing and installation standards to be observed in New Zealand, especially for household installations.

• New Zealand Report:An Inspection of Solar Water Heater Installations (2007)-

  The New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and Building Research commissioned BRANZ to undertake an independent research study on the quality of solar water heaters in New Zealand, in terms of installation quality, energy performance and durability. Conclusions of the study point out that in terms of quality, the systems analysed are very diverse, which denotes that there is still some issues in the application of standard practices.

• New Zealand: 300 m2 for a new Swimming Pool Complex-

  The dream team: This team of installers from New Zealand-based company Solar Technology Systems needed only a few days to install 300 m² of vacuum tube collectors on the roof of a swimming pool complex.
  Photo: Solar Technology Systems

• Solar Heating Worldwide (2005)- This report from 2005, published by Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (SHC) of the International Energy Agency (IEA) relates the solar thermal capacity previously installed in important markets worldwide. It further reports the contribution of solar plants to the supply of energy and the CO2 emissions reduction, resulting from operating these plants.