Solar scheme cashes in on Nelson sun 

Source: ONE News

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Nelson, New Zealand's sunshine capital, is planning to turn its sunlight into power.

Neslon wants to become the country's first 'solar city' with a scheme to help 1,700 homes switch to solar powered water heating over the next four years.

A home in the hills of Nelson is one of the first to receive a brand new solar water heating system as part of a council deal.

"Essentially we take away the upfront costs from people so we install a system and they pay the costs of that off, against their rates," says Nelson City Councillor Ali Boswijk.

It has been an automatic hit with the locals.

"The phone is ringing constantly, and people fishing for information, getting quotes," says Solar Technology Installer Frank Witowski.

So popular that the council's had to run a ballot to choose the first homes to capitalise on solar energy.

Kevin Burgess's home is one of those lucky ones.

"I'm hoping we'll have a saving of 30 or 40% over the whole power bill," he says.

A saving that lasts all year round in a place as sunny as Nelson.

The council has even gone as far as installing solar technology on some of its amenities like public toilets in the heart of Nelson city.

The sun hits these solar tubes and that creates hot water.

The city is hoping, it will be able to claim the 'solar city' title in a matter of months.