Episode
114

Solar Generation

February 28, 2024
|
Duration:
1576574
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In This Episode:

Join energy coaches David Arkell and John Pooley, producer Lysandra Naom, with guest Gary Holden, Managing Director at Lodestone Energy. This episode features the efficiency of solar generation, solars role in the energy transition, factors to consider before installation, life cycle, and more. Check out our 360 Carbon Excellence Program.

Highlights

  • Efficiency of Solar Technology:
    Solar panel efficiency, while seemingly low compared to traditional energy sources, is not a limitation due to the free, abundant energy provided by the sun. The cost improvements over the past decade make solar increasingly viable.
  • Localized Solar Farms:
    Holden advocates for placing solar farms near towns to supply local daytime energy needs, reducing long-distance transmission and creating a distributed, reliable energy supply.
  • Market-Driven Solar Adoption:
    In New Zealand’s open energy market, solar companies can build and sell power directly to consumers, allowing for innovation and cost reductions in solar energy production.
  • Virtual Rooftop Concept:
    Lodestone offers a "virtual rooftop" model where consumers can purchase solar energy shares from a solar farm, providing an alternative to physically installing solar panels on their own rooftops.
  • Key Insights

  • Long-Term Cost Efficiency:
    Utility-scale solar farms have a financial advantage over rooftop installations due to economies of scale, streamlined logistics, and lower per-unit costs for energy production.
  • Recycling and Sustainability in Solar:
    High-quality solar panels have a long life span, and emerging recycling technologies ensure that nearly all materials in solar panels can be reclaimed and reused, supporting a circular economy.
  • Challenges of Rooftop Solar:
    Custom installation requirements and varying site conditions make rooftop solar installations less efficient and more costly than utility-scale projects, which benefit from standardized processes.
  • Integration with Existing Energy Resources:
    Solar works best when paired with hydro and other energy storage solutions, creating a balanced and resilient energy supply that accommodates nighttime and variable demand.
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