Why Installing Solar Panels Doesn't Cut Carbon in NZ
New Zealand’s (almost) Carbon-free Electricity Grid.
New Zealand relies heavily on renewable energy sources, notably hydroelectric and geothermal power, for its electricity generation. These renewable sources have been harnessed for decades, with infrastructure investments dating back to the mid-20th century. Over time, the carbon emissions associated with the construction of hydro and geothermal facilities have been offset by their long operational lifespans and emissions-free electricity generation.
Embedded carbon, which refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted during the manufacturing, transportation and construction phases of infrastructure projects, plays a significant role in understanding the carbon footprint of renewable energy infrastructure. In the case of New Zealand's hydro and geothermal infrastructure, the emissions generated during construction have effectively been balanced out by the clean energy they produce over their operational lifetimes. This is less true of our wind power infrastructure but the overall picture of NZ’s power generation infrastructure is that of an essentially carbon-free electricity supply – to the envy of many global entities.
Green Energy, but no Impact on our Carbon Reduction Goals.
This context challenges the assumption that installing additional solar panels on buildings will lead to significant carbon reductions. While solar panels offer benefits such as localized energy generation, reduced reliance on the national grid, and potential savings on electricity bills, their contribution to overall carbon reduction efforts in New Zealand is minimal.
Certainly, the advantages of installing solar panels extend beyond carbon reduction. One notable benefit is the potential for households and businesses to generate their own renewable energy, thereby reducing their dependence on traditional sources of electricity. Solar panels also enhance energy resilience by providing backup power during grid outages or disruptions, contributing to the reliability of energy supply.
The adoption of solar panels promotes technological innovation and fosters a culture of environment- friendly development within communities. It is often also said that renewable energy installations encourage individuals and organizations to embrace renewable energy solutions and that the visibility of solar panels on buildings serves as a tangible reminder of the importance of sustainable development and inspires others to explore similar initiatives. This is true as far as renewable energy is concerned, but in the case of NZ, there is no correlation between increasing renewable energy and decreasing carbon emissions. When promoting renewable energy as a “climate change solution”, it seems that NZ may be guilty of adopting strategies designed for other parts of the world where the power infrastructure is made up of significant proportions of oil and coal-fired power plants. In such environments, replacing grid supply electricity with PV (present value) installation will have a significant impact on carbon emissions but we in NZ cannot duplicate this result.
The Methodist Church, by adopting the proposals behind the Decade of Climate Justice theme: Rekindle the Vā of Papatūānukuis calling the church and its members to create a carbon-free future, and to direct our efforts and resources to reducing our carbon emissions to at least the level implied by New Zealand’s Paris accord commitments. (Vā is Samoan for the sacred relationship which exists between people and the environment and Papatūānuku is te reo for the earth.)
Additionally, we want to make these changes in a way that does not leave anyone behind or disadvantaged. While increased electrical supply reliability and related advantages deriving from increasing geographical distribution of power generation may contribute to social justice outcomes, in most cases we cannot claim that PV energy generation in NZ moves us towards our carbon reduction goals.
Responsible Action
In the broader context of global climate action, New Zealand has committed to large-scale targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a carbon-neutral economy. While solar panels alone will not advance these goals in the New Zealand context, they can complement other strategies aimed at reducing emissions across sectors such as transportation, agriculture and industry, by targeting the provision of green power in remote locations or for specialist industrial processes. The adoption requirement should be based on the replacement of fossil fuel-driven generation facilities.
To maximize the effectiveness of sustainable development initiatives, policymakers, businesses and communities must adopt a holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of energy systems, infrastructure and environmental sustainability. This includes investing in research and development to enhance the efficiency and affordability of sustainable technologies, fostering collaboration between public and private sectors, and promoting consumer awareness and education on sustainable energy practices.
In conclusion, while installing solar panels on buildings offers various benefits, including energy savings, resilience and promotion of sustainable innovation, it does not significantly contribute to carbon reduction goals due to the maturity of the country's hydro and geothermal infrastructure. To achieve meaningful progress in addressing climate change, we must pursue unique solutions tailored for our unique environment and not just adopt solutions from elsewhere without validating them. By embracing this approach, we are making sure we can continue our journey towards a sustainable, resilient and just future.