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Photo: Māori Maps.
Download AudioTau Henare Marae at Pipiwai is adding another transformer to deal with a surplus of solar power from its solar array.
Rangitāne-owned company Tū Mai Rā Energy is building the country’s largest Māori solar power project on the marae near Whangārei.
Marae chair Len Bristow says the transformer will allow it to extend the supply to another 100 or so houses in the nearby village.
“There are about 300 panels on all the buildings. We’ve got it on the wharehui itself. We’ve got it on the wharekai, and we’ve got it on the sports complex so it generates about 120, 130 kilowatts of power on a good day,” he says.
Len Bristow says having its own power supply should bring the marae’s operating cost down and make it more attractive for whānau to use.
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