And why is it that we’re not doing the same with solar energy and why are our politicians relying on households to do the heavy lifting?
I mention thinking big intentionally. Because that’s what we did back in the 1970s and 1980s, especially with the big hydro power schemes.
These days, though, instead of thinking big about energy we’re tinkering around the edges.
The latest example is Labour’s solar energy policy which, like National’s policy which came out the other week, is all about getting more households going solar.
Essentially, both policies focus on giving people the chance to take out a cheap loan to pay for solar panels and batteries.
Some banks already offer this. But you have to have a mortgage with them to qualify.
Labour’s policy has a few extras. Such as option for renters to use plug-in panels, which are all the rage in some overseas countries, apparently.
But I reckon that, if our politicians are really serious about using solar to get cheaper and more reliable power supplies, then they need to be thinking bigger than just solar panels on the roof.
And we should be investing in state-owned solar farms.
Instead of relying on people to take out loans and put panels on top of their houses, the government should have some skin in the game and get into the business of mass solar generation itself.
If it was good enough for us to build big hydro power stations back in the day, the state should be doing something similar and building massive solar farms.
You could say it’s already doing a bit of that, with its shareholding in the big power generators.
But I think it could and should do more.
Because, as much as Labour and National will tell us that it’s all about dealing with the cost of living and reducing household power bills, that’s not the real issue.
The real challenge is ensuring we have enough power to keep the lights on at the likes of big manufacturing plants.
That’s the real challenge facing us. And that’s where solar can play a vital role. But we’re not going to do that with you and I getting a cheap loan and adding a few panels and a battery to the house.
Which is why I think large-scale government investment and ownership of big solar farms would be an absolute no-brainer.
John MacDonald is the Canterbury Mornings host on Newstalk ZB Christchurch. This article was first published HERE
The latest example is Labour’s solar energy policy which, like National’s policy which came out the other week, is all about getting more households going solar.
Essentially, both policies focus on giving people the chance to take out a cheap loan to pay for solar panels and batteries.
Some banks already offer this. But you have to have a mortgage with them to qualify.
Labour’s policy has a few extras. Such as option for renters to use plug-in panels, which are all the rage in some overseas countries, apparently.
But I reckon that, if our politicians are really serious about using solar to get cheaper and more reliable power supplies, then they need to be thinking bigger than just solar panels on the roof.
And we should be investing in state-owned solar farms.
Instead of relying on people to take out loans and put panels on top of their houses, the government should have some skin in the game and get into the business of mass solar generation itself.
If it was good enough for us to build big hydro power stations back in the day, the state should be doing something similar and building massive solar farms.
You could say it’s already doing a bit of that, with its shareholding in the big power generators.
But I think it could and should do more.
Because, as much as Labour and National will tell us that it’s all about dealing with the cost of living and reducing household power bills, that’s not the real issue.
The real challenge is ensuring we have enough power to keep the lights on at the likes of big manufacturing plants.
That’s the real challenge facing us. And that’s where solar can play a vital role. But we’re not going to do that with you and I getting a cheap loan and adding a few panels and a battery to the house.
Which is why I think large-scale government investment and ownership of big solar farms would be an absolute no-brainer.
John MacDonald is the Canterbury Mornings host on Newstalk ZB Christchurch. This article was first published HERE
16 comments:
Rooftop solar is a bit of a disaster in Australia- the take up is massive but it’s created numerous other problems.
The panel lifetime - masses of panels going to landfills (millions).
The spikes in production that don’t correspond to spikes in usage.
No one adding rooftop solar for the past 15yrs has been able to claim rebates or offsets despite feeding into the grid.
Despite the massive solar production capacity power prices have continued to soar for homeowners and businesses alike.
The payback of solar installation is still between 7 to 15yrs - but it does nothing to the resale value of homes so assume you’re staying put then you might benefit from it otherwise it’s something someone else buys off you for free.
Plus - and this is what many forget - if you don’t also have one of those frighteningly explosive battery things attached to your house then your power is still cut off and not working in the event of a power outage.
Btw battery fires are terrifying- and unable to be extinguished- plenty of footage on YouTube
I think not... unless you plan/cost in replacement on a regular basis. Oh, and the disposal of these acres of glass panels that are not recyclable...
https://joannenova.com.au/2026/02/solar-photovoltaics-degrading-faster-than-expected-8-may-only-last-11-years/
And how much land are you willing to turn over to solar power generation before the complaints start.
Electricity use always goes up, keep turning over more and more productive land for solar panels and you can start to see the problem.
These things are a blight on the landscape and produce very little energy for the real estate they consume.
If people are dumb enough to spend tens of thousands of dollars to have their roof damaged and put these ugly things all over the home, go for it but don’t waste my tax dollars on this folly.
I see most of the advertising show these panels are above brand new coloursteel roofs , if you do this you will void your warranty and for good reason , take a look at the top of your metal garage door , if this area is not exposed to the rain and is not washed corrosion occurs , replacing your roof will not be compensated by the solar return . Ideally someone will come up with a solar panel incorporated with the roofing .
This country has heaps of coal and it's reliable.
tree huggers can hug trees, industry and this simple resident-wants cheap affordable power, build more coal fired power stations.
Burn tree huggers and vegans-they have calorific value.
Anon 8:54.
You are so correct, almost everyone assumes that solar panels must go on a roof.
The roof is probably the worst place to put panels as rarely is the roof aligned with the sunlight.
Roof panels degrade the street appeal and value of the house.
Frequently the best option is a garden shed where you really don't care if the roof deteriorates under the panel, the house roof leaks around penetrations are avoided. How are you expected to deal with the moss and growths under roof panels ?
Install your inverter and battery in this garden shed and it becomes a unit that you can relocate if you move house.
Advertising of solar batteries on decks, under eaves horrify me for the fire danger.
There is a similarity between solar panels and satellite dishes, neither will work any better for being closer to the sun.
Burn people? I don’t think that’s a very sensible idea. Are we getting the best people commenting on the articles here at BV?
John, I can’t argue with your “think big” approach, which is quite refreshing. But you’ve prompted some very thoughtful insights from the commentators, particularly Anonymous 7:56am. And I agree with Anonymous 8:32am’s comment that “These things are a blight on the landscape and produce very little energy for the real estate they consume”. I’m sure you’ve driven through the USA like I have, and seen acres upon acres of these ugly monstrosities completely dominating the pristine landscape. They’re almost matched by the armies of wind turbines obscuring the horizon like Martian war machines from H G Wells’ novel The War of the Worlds. In a decade or two we’re going to look back on this phase of eco-madness, and wonder how we could have so desecrated our environment in an age of unprecedented environmental concern. All in the name of a pointless crusade against anthropogenic climate change.
Solar panels don’t have to traverse the Hormuz strait. Nor do other renewables. Or would we rather double down on sending cash halfway around the world forever?
I’m with you re coal Sam. Our author is very much part of our corrupt MSM that keeps Climate Alarmism first and foremost for those happy to have their opinions shaped by his teams propaganda. Thinking we can control the climate is mistaken hubris. While John McDonald is happy to sacrifice huge areas of arable farmland, crisscross the country with expensive transmission lines, heavily subsidise solar like every other country in order to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.
Thinking big John would be to build coal fired generators sited beside hydro and thermal power stations utilising existing transmission lines then mothball them once nuclear power comes on stream. This is all too logical for our current crop of pollies who embrace Net Zero with religious fervour.
Re roofing under house solar panels: also the racks that hold the panels have to be screwed into the wooden purlins below the metal roof. The panel installers say they will reuse some of the existing screw holes, if they happen to line up properly. The rack "feet" are metal with a rubber seal on the bottom. The screws in the feet are larger than the normal screws that hold the metal roof on. When the rubber degrades, you get leaks in the roof. Its unclear whether the solar warranty covers resulting damage.
Unless you are home a lot during the day so you can concentrate your electricty use when the sun is shinning, you WILL need a battery, which doubles the cost of a simple no battery grid-tied system. Plus, the solar people want to control you system remotely.
Unbelievable. ..!! But then again, maybe it is. Here is someone who would appear to be well educated and able to think logically, pushing the worn-out barrow of anthropogenic climate change. Further, is unable to balance his argument with the failed/failing 'renewable energy' subsidised disasters around the world.
(Planet of the humans ) is worth watching , it’s still relevant , shows where the money is going, I look at everything using numbers , if it stacks up do it by all means , but don’t expect to be subsidised by taxpayers ,
Vic have you read none of the many many studies showing what is clearly happening? Conservatives like us base our views on evidence, not IGNORING evidence. Are you really a conservative? Or only in name?
It is doubtful that water will never do anything else, but run down hill with zero interference.
What we need now is some new way of using such a natural phenomenum.
Ameni
Let us be honest, NZ needs industry and jobs . Industry and jobs need reliable electricity.
Jobs are created when electricity is abundant and a reasonable cost to accumulate taxation.
Fancy office workers are not providers of jobs or reliable electricity.
Their opinion is worthless , bring back thermal generation in NZ and jobs and GDP will follow .
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