Concept of one of Lodestone Energy's planned solar power stations (file image). Photo:
Some households could soon have solar power in their homes without having any physical panels on their roof.
The solar energy company Lodestone, has announced a partnership with retailer Pulse Energy, where customers can have a so-called virtual solar rooftop.
The deal will allow Pulse Energy customers access to solar power from Lodestone's upcoming grid-scale solar farms, starting with the one in Kaitāia - due to be online mid next year.
Lodestone announced earlier this year that it had raised $300 million to fund five solar farms, with all five due to be ready in two to three years.
Its managing director Gary Holden, himself a former chief executive of Pulse Energy, said the partnership was a cheaper way for households to get solar power.
"This power plan would simulate for a consumer, the same situation as if they put solar panels on their roof, except those solar panels would be located in a sunny place in Northland or on a farm where their solar resource is very strong," he said.
Pulse Energy chief executive Sharnie Warren said it would be an effective way to accelerate production of solar energy in the generation market.
"Grid-scale solar is lower cost than traditional rooftop solar - so more consumers will be able to take advantage of this fantastic renewable energy source.
"To develop a nationwide solar offer requires a large pipeline of farms and Lodestone has proven that they are leading the way. We're looking forward to our customers increasingly enjoying the benefit of grid-scale solar as more farms come online in the future," Warren said.
Pulse Energy was chosen as it had the capability to carry out a sophisticated billing system, Holden said.
However, other arrangements would be considered and the deal with Pulse was not exclusive.
"Pulse can manage the complexities of branding, manage large volumes of half-hourly solar production data and has an innovative approach to billing that is required for this idea.
"It is going to be very exciting to see how quickly New Zealanders embrace the concept of a 'virtual solar rooftop' from a sunny location for supplying their homes and small businesses," Holden said.