Episode 5: Solar Installation Map

In this episode, Carl speaks to Zoe Priestley, General Manager of Communications, Engagement, Data and People & Capability about the Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko’s new solar installation map. Together, they explore how the map is designed to help New Zealanders feel more confident about going solar by showing what’s happening in their neighbourhood.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:06

Kyoto, welcome to the electricity brief. Each episode we bring you a conversation with the people that are shaping New Zealand's electricity market. We talk about what's happening, why it matters, and what it means for you. And solar is definitely having a moment in New Zealand, but for many it still feels like a big leap. So today we're joined by Zoe Presley, the GM of Communications, Engagement and Data at the Authority. And we're going to talk about the new installations map. Kyoto Zoe.

SPEAKER_00 0:32

Kyoto Carl.

SPEAKER_01 0:33

So, Zoe, what is this map? Tell us about it.

SPEAKER_00 0:36

Well, look, this is one of many initiatives we're doing at the Authority to improve choice and information and tools for New Zealanders. As you said, solar is on the rise. But a lot of people don't know where to start. So we've got an excellent data team at the Authority, and we've got excellent data. We can tap into the electricity registry, and we've created this map to give people a better view of solar all throughout Alteroa.

SPEAKER_01 1:03

And for those who maybe don't know where to start, what's holding them back?

SPEAKER_00 1:08

Oh, probably a lot of things is you and I can probably relate. How do I go about this? What's the cost? What's the logistics? And are people around me doing it and and what are they doing? So I think that's one of the really great things about this map is to give people confidence. They can understand who's got solar in my area, my neighborhood, even my street. They can zoom in and they can see the sort of the size of the installation and start from there, really.

SPEAKER_01 1:37

That what's happening in my neighborhood question is really powerful, isn't it, Zoe?

SPEAKER_00 1:42

That's exactly right. I think we can probably both relate to this. It affects your own behaviour if you can see and and understand what people around you are doing. And with solar, you might be wondering, do I have enough sun? Is my roof right? What are others doing? So I think that's the that's the point of giving people confidence if they can see what's happening around them in their neighbourhood.

SPEAKER_01 2:03

And that's where the solar installations map really comes in.

SPEAKER_00 2:06

Yes. As my friends at ECA have said, it helps to uncover some of the mystery around solar. So you can get in there, you can zoom in on your neighborhood and even on your street and see the number, the size, and the capacity of the solar. So it really answers that what's happening in my neighbourhood question.

SPEAKER_01 2:26

It's brilliantly detailed. How are we balancing that with protecting privacy?

SPEAKER_00 2:31

Oh, that was a really important part of the design. Um, the map does not identify individual homes, only the streets. So it gives that good indication of what's happening in your street without going into any personal information.

SPEAKER_01 2:44

So where's the data coming from?

SPEAKER_00 2:47

Oh, it's coming from the electricity authorities registry, which is the most reliable source of information, and it will be updated every night. So it's very current.

SPEAKER_01 2:56

As we're supporting this work, the benefits aren't just to the individual household though. They apply across the system as a whole, right?

SPEAKER_00 3:03

That's right. So there are a number of benefits for individuals, of course. Um there are benefits for our planet, um, but also the more solar eases pressure on the network. So that's a really shared benefit for everyone.

SPEAKER_01 3:17

Is the authority expecting to add to the tool over time?

SPEAKER_00 3:20

Yes. The team are definitely expecting to do that. And the next step will be to add batteries. So that will give a more complete picture about distributed energy. So not just generation but storage as well.

SPEAKER_01 3:34

So if I go onto the map and start working with it and start thinking, okay, maybe solar's for me, what do I do next?

SPEAKER_00 3:40

Oh, great question, and we acknowledge that this map will not answer all of your questions. It's a great start to give you confidence. Then a next really good step is to go to ECA's website. That's the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authorities site where they have a section called Is Solar Right for Your Home? which will give you a whole lot of practical tips on costs, practicalities, and whether, you know, what what kind of will work for your home.

SPEAKER_01 4:08

So as well as helping consumers make informed choices about solar for themselves, this also sounds like it's connecting to some of the wider pieces of work around making energy information simpler.

SPEAKER_00 4:20

That's right, Carl, and that is a subject very dear to my heart. Uh, breaking things down, I think we'd both agree that the electricity sector can be incredibly complex and it doesn't need to be. Um, and we're all about making it more accessible.

SPEAKER_01 4:36

This sounds like a really good idea.

SPEAKER_00 4:38

Yeah, it is, and it started with rewiring Aotearoa. So they are an innovative bunch and they're all about electrification for Autaroa, and um they started this map. We took it on because we have access to that um electricity registry. Uh, that was late last year, so it's awesome that we're that we've now got the tool that we can all use and benefit from. The map also fits alongside a whole lot of other work we're doing at the authority to improve that choice for consumers thinking about solar. For example, we've put in place higher limits for people wanting to feed solar back into the grid and better buyback rates. So we have the privilege at the Authority of being able to update and change the rules to improve outcomes, and that's an example of that. And we're also looking into plug-in solar, which is really exciting, um, especially in terms of that accessibility for New Zealanders. Somebody said to me once, yeah, but to have rooftop solar, you need a rooftop. Um, this challenges that because plug-in solar could open up um the opportunity for renters and people who live in apartments as well. So that's an exciting piece of work.

SPEAKER_01 5:49

It's really exciting. Is there anything else you want to add before we wrap up?

SPEAKER_00 5:54

Yeah, I just want to emphasize that this map is just one extra tool that we hope will help people. Um, and that's what it's all about. We partner with other agencies and we do work across the system, but consumers are always at the heart of what we do, improving outcomes for consumers. So we really hope that people can get in there, enjoy, and benefit from this map.

SPEAKER_01 6:16

Kyota Zoe, really appreciate your spending this time with us today.

SPEAKER_00 6:20

Thank you so much, Kyota Carl.

SPEAKER_01 6:22

And Kyota, really appreciate you taking the time to tune in with us. If you'd like to check out the map, you can find it on the authorities website at www.ea.govt.nz. That's all for this edition. We'll see you again soon. Kakitiamo