Auckland infrastructure company Vector has teamed up with breakfast cereal maker Hubbard Foods to launch the largest thin-film solar PV installation to be installed in a commercial business in New Zealand.
The 160 solar panels on the Hubbard dry foods warehouse in South Auckland are capable of generating 20kW during peak sunlight hours - about the amount of energy three housholds would use - and will produce approximately 29000 kW/h of electricity per year.
Vector chief executive Simon Mackenzie says the initiative is a new chapter of solar panel use by commercial businesses and could lead to power at a lower cost.
Mr Mackenzie says within the next five years it will become increasing economically viable for consumers to invest in solar.