St John Wānaka wins NZD $45,000 solar system from SolarZero

St John Wānaka recently received a complimentary solar energy system and a 20-year solar subscription from SolarZero, following their victory in SolarZero's Solar Future Competition. The new system is expected to provide lower energy costs for the community organisation over the next two decades.

The SolarZero Solar Future Competition, introduced in 2023 to benefit the Upper Clutha community, culminated with St John Wānaka being publicly voted as the winner. The awarded solar subscription is valued at NZD $45,000.

To mark the completion and blessing of the SolarZero system's installation, which includes both solar panels and a battery, St John Wānaka hosted a community event at their station. Dell Taylor, Chair of St John Wānaka, shared her enthusiasm for the project. She stated, "Adding solar panels and a battery is a game changer for us. With a SolarZero system, we have the assurance we'll be able to operate during civil emergencies when our community needs us the most. It was a pleasure to bring the local community together and celebrate installing our system, and how it’ll help us continue serving our region."

The installation is expected to support St John Wānaka's broader community care initiatives, which extend beyond ambulance services to include programmes such as the youth cadet programme, outreach therapy pet programme, and first-aid training.

Matt Ward, Chief Executive of SolarZero, expressed his admiration for the local support shown to St John and other competition nominees. "The way Wānaka rallied around St John and our other competition nominees last year really showcased how important local initiatives are to tight-knit communities. We consider it a privilege to support in the way we know best — with reliable, renewable energy that contributes to the region's resilience as a whole," Ward remarked.

Taylor also highlighted the practical benefits of the system, noting, "The generosity of SolarZero is not going to be lost on our community. Whether it's heating our station or keeping our fridge cold, knowing that we have a smaller bill to worry about means we can turn our attention to strengthening the Upper Clutha region."

This initiative is part of SolarZero's ongoing efforts to provide Wānaka with access to the advantages of solar energy. The company's integration of the region's SolarZero systems into a Virtual Power Plant network aims to enhance stability during power outages and reduce stress on the national energy grid.