Solar panel fears: The shadow of a fight over Napier’s six
A Napier family is concerned that a proposed high-density housing development will block sunlight to their expensive residential solar panel system. The family fears that new zoning laws allowing six-storey buildings will undermine their investment in clean energy.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between urban densification policies and the rights of individual homeowners who have invested in private renewable energy infrastructure.
Lyndon Watson (inset) says his family are working to protect the rights of people investing in clean energy across New Zealand.
A Napier family who spent $110,000 on a premium solar power system for their home have fears the sale of a $9 million Kāinga Ora residential property opposite them could cast a literal shadow over their investment.
Lyndon Watson, who is the family trust’s managing trustee, said they had installed a 44-panel residential photovoltaic network – with LG NeON 2 panels and three Tesla Powerwalls – at their Hall St property in October 2020.
The installation required structural work under the house to install heavy-duty pilings and foundation reinforcements to support the weight of the battery bank vault, switchboard upgrades for the family’s main house and cottage, improved property earthing and network connection and inspection fees.
But the family now fear the system could be overshadowed by future development.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in