This is the story of the $21 monthly electricity bill.
You read it right.
A family of five living on the outskirts of Auckland for $21.
This is the February bill that covers the summer peak of low demand for electricity.
But no one-off;
Due to low household usage in the summer, previous bills were also fixed at $21.
"It's huge for our family," said Tara Mora . " She lives with her husband, Sifa, with their three children, seven children. year-Five-year-old Milanyear-
Old rakipp and two. year-
Old laolani in the eastern suburbs.
So huge it means Tara doesn't have to find a part
Time to work to help break even, the family does not have to sleep together in front of the fire in the lounge to keep the winter warm.
As the impact of the use of solar energy in their homes begins to affect families, the bill has been introduced.
Solar panels and Tesla's Powerwall battery system were installed by giant power dealer Vector, after Moalas was the winner of the company's energy future competition last year --
This month, major shareholders of vector commissioned a new energy-saving community project (EECP).
The project, in collaboration with Vector and the Oakland Commission, provides free hot water thermal control units, LED bulbs and energy advice to homeowners in Papakura and taqqani.
In addition, 12 schools and organizations in the region, including Edmund Hillary Elementary School, are receiving Tesla batteries to store the energy used when sunlight shines.
Solar panels and battery systems for Moalas-
Installation on last May
Nearly $100 per month;
Their regular electricity bill is about $117.
Compared to an average of about $200 for both, this is in itself a minimum amount
Auckland residents.
Their experience provides a glimpse into the future for solar and battery recipients under the new EECP program.
Although Tara expects their bills to rise a bit in the winter, she says the cost savings have had an amazing impact on their lives. "I know (the saving)
Small quantity but my husband is very inefficient
We now have paid jobs and extra money, which means I don't have to go for more work (she is a part-
Time community development practitioners)
And be able to maintain a Game school for children.
"Watch: Carrier and entrust communities at Edmund Hillary School to collaborate on the future of energy and sustainability. Moras lived in a house built in the 1950 s.
"When we first moved in, it had no insulation and we warmed it up with a fireplace.
We used to sleep in the lounge because the whole house was cold and it was the only room where the fire would be hot.
"While we have insulated the house and installed a heat pump, every winter we are worried about whether we can pay higher electricity bills.
This is not a problem now, I am very grateful.
"Moalas has LED bulbs, hot water thermal control system and low independently
Installed flow shower heads and solar panels and batteries are estimated to be almost twice as high
They save $1,000 a year on energy demand.
"It's a great way to save electricity," said Tara . ".
"The battery saved US power in the day, and any remaining left after we used it could go back to the main grid.
"The use of solar energy is closely related to family life.
Tara is the waste champion of Tamaki waste reduction action program and her goal is to achieve zero waste at home and take measures such as refusing to use plastic bags and disposable diapers.
She is also a member of the local community group Pera community gardener who grows their own vegetables using the donated one acre of land.
William Keynes, president of Vector's major shareholder Entrust, said that while the benefits of these energy solutions are well known at the government and business levels, it is important to push them at the most important community level.
Vector is expected to be similar to the results achieved by Moalas in the EECP project, which is more than one
A million dollar partnership to promote sustainable and renewable energy in Auckland.
CEO Simon McKenzie said Moalas has saved more than 1500 kg of CO2 emissions and believes that new projects in South Auckland will have a practical understanding of the impact of electricity bills.
Edmund Hillary Elementary School principal Kataraina Nock says students take home what they have learned at school: "Through this program, energy --
Efficient information is not just a sustainable city, but a conversation about what practical actions families can take to reduce household electricity bills.
"Auckland mayor Phil Gove said the project has set a target of 1500 homes registered for free home energy checks in Papakura and Takanini, if successful, for the next few years, I will promote it to the rest of Auckland.