Solar Power
Summer Series - Kidding Around
Wee newborns are popping out right, left and centre on James Hills' dairy goat farm. His farm sign says "Jebel 5, only the best for our goats." In Afrikaans Jebel means joyous and he says if you can't… Audio
First Song - Solar Power by Lorde
First song, the new one from Lorde, out today and entitled 'Solar Power'. Audio
Calling Home: Flick Taylor in Laikipia County, Kenya
Flick Taylor is currently living in a tent on her and husband Sam's plot in Laikipia County in Kenya while the family build a new home. It's a world away from her early upbringing on a farm in rural… Audio
Why those 100 percent renewable energy plans fall short
New Zealand's not far off achieving 100 percent renewable energy - but is that really our best bet for combating climate change? Audio
Why those 100 percent renewable energy plans fall short
New Zealand's not far off achieving 100 percent renewable energy - but is that really our best bet for combating climate change?
AudioThe Suburban Solar Conundrum
The combination of solar panels, electricity storage batteries, smart household gadgets, and a boring looking black box is set to change forever how our electricity system works.
But do we need… Audio
Solar energy hack
Can mirrors boost solar panel output - and help overcome Trump's tariffs? In the US, a new 30 percent tariff on imported solar panels is focussing attention back on a decidedly analogue way to do more… Audio
Warning urged over waterborne Legionnaires' risk
A Christchurch woman who had two family members die from Legionnaire's disease is warning people who heat their water with heat pumps to make sure they're not at risk. Ruth Nicholson says a system… Audio
Tonga gets its first private power station
Tonga has commissioned its first privately owned solar power farm and there are more in the pipeline. Audio
Bionic leaf 'game-changer' in renewable tech
A bionic leaf which turns sunlight into liquid fuel has been developed by scientists in the US. Video, Audio
Dateline Pacific morning edition for 1 August 2017
Catholic Church leaders hope deported religious lay worker Doug Tennent will be let back into Papua New Guinea; Where the political landscape remains fluid as crucial vote approaches; A new tool to… Audio
Challenge to solar surcharge fails in court
Lines company Unison has won a legal battle to protect extra fees it imposed on electricity customers with solar panels in their homes.
Energy report on solar self serving - solar lobbyist
The chairman of the Sustainable Electricity Association, Brendan Winitana, says the report that says alternative energy is too expensive for low income families overlooks the different ways that… Audio
The power-giving potential of perovskite
An Oxford materials science professor says a material called perovskite can significantly improve the performance of photovoltaic cells. Audio
Tech news: Future drones
Peter Griffin with tech news. How Facebook wants to use a solar-powered drone to provide free internet access to Africa, and could delivery drones really bring goods to our homes one day? Audio
Charging solar panel users more 'illegal'- panel supplier
A solar panel supplier is trying to stop a power lines company from charging people more if they've installed solar panels. Audio
Energy analyst says solar still expensive
An energy sector analyst says it is unlikely solar power will spread widely throughout the country and is expensive to install. Audio
Another lines company ponders solar charge
Lines company Eastland Group is considering following Hawke's Bay lines company Unison by imposing an extra lines charge on people using solar panels.
Commerce Commission shies away from solar surcharge
The Commerce Commission insists it has no role to play in a surcharge being imposed on most solar power connections in Hawke's Bay, Rotorua and Taupo.
Solar panels vs electric cars - what's greener?
Last week the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Jan Wright, suprised many when she came out in support of a report written by Wellington based Concept Consulting. The report says that… Audio
