Whakatāne District Council is flicking the switch on solar, with installations set to begin in the coming weeks at three key Council facilities.
Between June and September, grid-tied solar systems will be installed at the Dog Pound, Whakatāne Resource Recovery Centre, and the Main Council Building on Commerce Street. These will be the first Council-owned buildings to transition to solar energy, marking a significant milestone in Council’s sustainability journey.
“This is a really exciting step for our organisation,” says Lou Hunt, Climate Change and Resilience Manager.
“We’ve been working towards this for several years, and it’s great to see it now becoming a reality.
“These installations will help reduce our carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and build greater resilience into our essential services.”
“This is a smart investment in the future of our district. We’re one of the sunniest places in Aotearoa, and we’re making the most of that by generating clean, renewable energy right here at home,” says Lou.
The solar rollout supports the Council’s Our Climate Pathway, He Rongoā Āhuarangi Strategy, which includes a 16% target reduction in energy-related emissions by 2027. It also contributes to two of the 2024–34 Long Term Plan strategic priorities: Building climate change and natural hazard resilience and Shaping a green district.
Sites were selected based on energy usage, ease of installation, and cost-effectiveness. All systems will be grid-tied to ensure a reliable power supply, even during peak demand or weather-related events. The Council is also partnering with local suppliers to deliver the installations, supporting the regional economy.
Trust Horizon is supporting the project through its community financing initiative, offering a loan administered on its behalf by Community Finance. The loan has a fixed 3.5% interest rate for five years and a 10-year repayment period.
“It’s great to see Trust Horizon’s low-cost, sustainable financing underpinning Council’s move to solar and its transition away from fossil fuels,” says Trust Horizon Chief Executive, Derek Caudwell.
“It’s another innovative way we can support the community.”
The energy savings generated by the solar systems are expected to fully offset the loan costs, making the project cost-neutral during the repayment period. From year 11 onward (2035–2050), projected savings are expected to total around $900,000 across the three sites.
“Many councils across the motu are making this shift, and what sets us apart is the strength of our sunshine hours. We have a real opportunity to lead by example and inspire others in our district to take similar steps,” says Lou.