Misco Joinery in Kaiapoi today joined a raft of companies around the country reducing their emissions and reaping financial rewards by generating their own energy from the sun.

The 153 kW system has 535 Solar panels and will generate the equivalent of 27 average households, around 65% of the joinery factory’s total energy consumption.

Misco Joinery have incorporated many other energy-saving features into the new factory such as double glazing, high-spec insulation and LED lights.

The factory opening was attended by the MP for Waimakariri, Matt Doocey, Sustainably Energy Association NZ (SEANZ) Director Dwayne Cocker, and several Waimakariri District Councillors.

SEANZ Chair Brendan Winitana says “The Misco Joinery initiative is a great example as it will provide an estimated 16.1% return on investment for the company.

“We are seeing increasing interest in medium to large commercial systems because it makes sense on many levels, it makes sense financially, provides differentiation and a competitive advantage in overseas and local markets, and allows companies to do their bit to combat climate change.

“Along with Misco Joinery’s installation by SEANZ member SkySolar, others are busy with projects such as a 300 kW system for publicly listed NZ multinational Comvita, 61 kW for the Zespri Headquarters, a couple of systems for Mainfreight Distribution Centres, several solar farms over 1MW under non-disclosure agreements, and numerous other 30 to 100 kW sized systems being built on dairy farms, warehouses, resorts, supermarkets, schools, petrol stations and other businesses around the country.

“SEANZ congratulates Misco Joinery and SkySolar today for this great initiative” Mr Winitana says.

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