The Solar Promise is a joint initiative set up by the Nelson City Council, the Nelson Environment Centre, along with SolarCity to promote the uptake of solar energy systems in New Zealand.

The idea is that via the Solar Promise web site, businesses and individuals can sign up to have the Solar Promise lobby the Local Government Body to which the business or individual belongs.

Among the organisations, businesses and councils that have already pledged their support are Meridian Energy, Kiwibank, Greenpeace, WWF, The Tindall Foundation, the Master Plumbers of New Zealand, SEANZ, the Wellington and Dunedin City Councils and a bunch of District Councils.

On the face of it, this looks like a really great and well thought-out initiative. But then I noticed that a few of the facts listed on the site didn't add up. More...

Following on from my previous article (which got a little messy with a correction or two), I think it's time for a challenge..

In the Green corner we have the sexy and sleek Thinair 102 turbine from Powerhouse Wind Ltd. It's a prototype single blade 2 kW wind turbine put together by by a a small Dunedin based company. It has a cut in speed of 3.5 m/s and achieves maximum output in winds of 10 m/s. They're targeting a price of around $20,000 for the unit (I'd expect installation costs on top though) which puts it in line with other comparable micro-turbines.

In the Blue corner, we have another sexy little number. It's the Yamaha EF2400is Silent, a 2 kW petrol powered invertor generator (not exactly silent, but producing 59 dBA @ 7 m, it's a little quieter than some other models). Currently retailing at $3,198, it's a somewhat lighter on the pocket than the Thinair turbine. More...

The following letter was published in the Timaru Herald:

It is disappointing to see that the Timaru District Council have decided on a wood fired boiler for the heating of the proposed aquatic centre. I see it as a sign of the Council lacking initiative, expertise and a working relationship with the Canterbury Regional Council. More...

I use a KVM switch, a LCD screen, headphones, and only have my computers on while I need them.

I have also removed any PCI cards that I don't use.

I hope the Greens do make a push for power conservation in computers and electronics. I would definitely support making the display of power ratings mandatory (for both 'on' and 'standby' modes) on all electronics packaging and promotional material.

This is a letter that I sent to LineTrust South Canterbury after reading an article in the Timaru Herald on Energy Mad's Efficient Light Project:

I read with interest the article in the Timaru Herald entitled "Power Scheme 'a cracker' says Minister" regarding Line Trust South Canterbury and Energy Mad's Household Efficient Light Project. More...