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Morrinsville, New Zealand 9.8 kW

Installed: 09/09/2011

News article in the Coast & Country Bay of Plenty and Waikato Farm, Orchard and Rural Lifestyle News.

Bay of Plenty resident Garry Tapper has long had an interest in solar electricity generation.
He originally thought that it was unfeasible for him because of a requirement for batteries to store the electricity generated by the solar system.  “Then one day three words in an article changed everything”.  Garry says the words “GRID TIE INVERTER” were what made him realise he could have all the benefits of solar without the restrictions of batteries.  He confirmed this by contacting Powersmart Solar in June and realising that he could still run his stove, spa pool and “all sorts of power hungry equipment” Garry began his solar journey.

In July, with Garry’s supervision, Powersmart Solar installed a 3kW solar PV system on his home. Following the installation and successful operation of the system Garry decided to triple the solar array to 10kW in September.  Garry’s simple return on investment is 8% per year and with the price of power increasing Garry will see this return climb steadily into the future.  The system also adds value to Garry’s home and should he sell it he is likely to realise a profit in as little as 3 years. 

“After running out of grass, walking through pugged up paddocks, chasing stock, fixing fences and working full time I thought why am I farming animals?” Following this revelation Garry started considering other uses for his 12 acre block of land with 2 north facing paddocks and is now looking into the option of a solar farm. Garry said that researching the solar farm concept has led him to a range of sources with many varying and some baffling answers.  “Once again I contacted Powersmart Solar and they are picking up the baton in the hope of helping me farm these human friendly animals called solar panels.”