The Alternative Energy Company - Latest News
What size hot water cylinder do I need?
Most NZ households use 40–60 litres of hot water per person per day. Here's how to choose the right cylinder size for your household, with a simple sizing table.
How does solar thermodynamic hot water work, even at night?
Solar thermodynamic hot water keeps working on cloudy days, at night and in frost. Here's how it works, how it compares with other systems, and what you need.
Gas vs electric hot water in NZ: what's changed in 2026
NZ's gas supply is shrinking and bills are rising. Here's what that means for gas hot water, and why switching to an efficient electric system makes sense.
Refrigerants in solar hot water systems: what NZ's HFC phase-down means for you
High-GWP refrigerants are being phased down in NZ. Here's what that means for solar thermodynamic and heat pump hot water systems, and why existing systems don't need replacing.
How much could you save on hot water? A worked NZ example (2026)
Water heating is about 30% of a typical NZ home's energy use. Here's how we estimate the savings from a solar thermodynamic hot water system, step by step.
Do you need a building consent for a new hot water system in NZ? (2026 guide)
Replacing, moving or adding to a hot water cylinder in NZ? Here's when you need a building consent, when you don't, and what the new solar panel exemption means.
Case study: 120-panel solar thermodynamic system for Fonterra, Palmerston North
TAEC installed a 120-panel solar thermodynamic hot water system at Fonterra's Palmerston North site, helping reduce the plant's reliance on natural gas boilers.
Energy-efficient hot water for a Papakāinga development in Motueka
TAEC supplied and installed EcoTop solar thermodynamic hot water systems in all 20 homes at Te Awhina Marae's papakāinga development in Motueka.
Case study: Rongotea community pool, NZ's first pool heated by solar thermodynamics
In 2023 Rongotea's community pool became the first public swimming pool in New Zealand to be heated by a solar thermodynamic system.
Case study: Cardrona Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant
TAEC supplied and installed a 32-panel solar thermodynamic heating system that keeps the Cardrona Valley wastewater treatment plant working through alpine winters, commissioned in September 2020.
Case study: 56-panel solar hot water system for 8 Willis St, Wellington
TAEC designed, supplied and installed a 56-panel solar thermodynamic hot water system for up to 1,200 staff at the Stats NZ and Ministry for the Environment building in Wellington.
Owner's Manuals
Got a technical question about your system? Have a look at our Eco, EcoTop or Solar Box owner's manuals.