Thinking about cutting your energy costs and making your business more future-ready? Now’s the time to look into solar.

Solar power is a smart move for farms and businesses across New Zealand. Whether you’re running irrigation, cold storage, or processing operations, you know how unpredictable and expensive power bills can get. Solar gives you back control—helping you reduce your energy costs, rely less on the grid, and even earn from feeding extra power back into the network.

For many high-use operations, the system pays for itself in as little as 5–7 years.

 

Here’s why solar makes sense for industrial and farming businesses:

Why Go Solar?

• Cut Power Costs
  Solar lets you generate your own power on site—reducing your monthly bills and your reliance on the grid, especially when peak rates hit.
• Stay Ahead of Rising Prices
  Electricity prices are climbing every year. With solar, you lock in savings and reduce your exposure to future price hikes.
• Show You’re Serious About Sustainability
  Investing in solar sends a clear message—you care about long-term success and doing your part for the environment. It’s a win for your business and your brand.
• Long-Lasting & Low Maintenance
  With no moving parts, solar panels are built tough for Kiwi conditions and need very little upkeep. Many come with a 25-year warranty—so it’s a long-term solution you can count on.
• Keep the Lights On During Outages
  Pair your solar setup with battery storage and you’ve got backup power when the grid goes down—ideal for essential systems like fridges, pumps or plant.

 

Government Support & Bank Finance

Right now, there are great support options that make solar even more affordable:

• Solar on Farms (EECA)
  Free advice, technical support and finance options tailored for high-energy farms.
• Investment Boost Tax Incentive
  The new Investment Boost could allow you to claim an upfront 20% tax deduction on solar systems in year one, and depreciate the rest over time.
• Low-Interest Loans
  NZ banks are backing green business upgrades. For example: ASB is offering 5 years interest-free on up to $150,000 for solar and battery systems on rural properties. Available for new and existing ASB rural customers until 15 December 2025 (terms apply).Other banks are also offering low-interest green loans—talk to your provider about what’s on offer.

 

How to Get Started

• Give EAS a call on 07 834 0505 or flick us an email—we’ll sort you a no-obligation quote.
• Get in touch with your bank (like ASB) about low interest finance options.
• Talk to your accountant about claiming the 20% tax break and start saving from day one.

 

Don’t Wait—Get Ready for Summer Sun

There’s never been a better time to go solar. With strong returns, great finance options and summer around the corner, now’s the time to lock in a system that’ll keep paying off for years to come.

Ready to get started? Contact the EAS team today and let’s talk solar.

If your plant is heading into a scheduled shutdown, you’re in a great position to take care of critical maintenance tasks — especially electrical ones that are difficult or dangerous to perform during normal operations.

By using this downtime wisely, you can boost safety, reduce the risk of future breakdowns, and help ensure everything runs smoothly when production ramps back up.

Here are the key electrical maintenance activities the EAS team recommends during your shutdown:

 

Deep Clean Electrical Panels

Dust, moisture, and corrosion can quietly damage your electrical systems. During shutdown:

• ensure panels are cleaned inside and out.
• check for signs of wear, rust, or insect damage.
• ensure all connections are tightened to manufacturer specs.

 

Test Switchgear and Breakers

Your circuit breakers and switchgear must work instantly when needed. During this time, we recommend:

• testing insulation and contact points.
• operating breakers both manually and electronically.
• reviewing and updating arc flash safety labels if anything has changed.

 

Inspect UPS and Battery Backups

Your backup systems are only useful if they work when the power goes out. We can assist with:

• load-testing the system.
• checking for damaged or swollen batteries.
• cleaning terminals and verifying voltage is balanced.

 

Maintain Motor Control Centers (MCCs)

These systems run your motors and machines, so it’s important they’re in top shape. We recommend:

• Checking all wiring and control components.
• Testing for insulation and heat damage.
• Cleaning cabinets and confirming everything functions safely.

 

Verify Grounding and Bonding

Good grounding prevents electric shock and protects your systems from power surges. During shutdown, you should:

• Test grounding resistance.
• Inspect for damaged wires.
• Check lightning protection systems, if installed.

 

Test Emergency Power Systems

No one wants to find out their backup power isn’t working — during an emergency. With your plant powered down, it’s the perfect time to:

• Run generators under load.
• Simulate a power outage to test automatic switching.
• Confirm emergency lighting and alarms are functioning.

 

Ready to Restart Strong

Using shutdown periods for proactive electrical maintenance is one of the smartest things a plant can do. It reduces unplanned downtime, improves energy efficiency, and keeps your people and equipment safe.

Need help planning or carrying out your next maintenance shutdown? The EAS team is here to support you every step of the way. Just get in touch on 07 834 0505.

 

Answers:

1. Ice Ice Baby

2. Walk like an Egyptian

3. Total Eclipse of the Heart

4. Sweet dreams

5. Electric Avenue

 

 

Answer:  There are no stairs – it is a one story house.

As we head into the Christmas season, now is the perfect time to ensure that all your maintenance checks are up-to-date. Taking proactive steps now will allow you to enjoy a well-deserved break confident that your equipment is in top notch condition with low risk of an unexpected breakdown.

 

Are you up-to-date with:

• Thermal Inspections:
  Do you need a thermal inspection of your key equipment? These inspections can quickly identify potential overheating issues or faults that could lead to costly breakdowns.
• Routine Maintenance:
  Are you up-to-date with all your routine maintenance inspections. Ensuring your equipment has been properly serviced can prevent minor issues from escalating.
• Lighting Systems:
  Have you checked your lighting systems to ensure there are no faulty bulbs and your emergency lighting is operational and compliant?
• Testing & Tagging:
  Is all your electrical equipment tested and tagged as required.  Up-to-date testing ensures compliance with safety regulations and reduces risks.
• Backup Power Systems:
  Is your backup power system well-maintained and ready to use? Testing generators and UPS systems now can save you from unexpected downtime during a critical period.

Don’t leave these jobs to the last minute, the countdown to Christmas is underway, now is the ideal time to tackle these essential maintenance jobs.

 

But don’t worry if a breakdown does occur over the holiday break – the EAS team will be here to support you with 24/7 cover.  Just give us a call on 07 847 0505 and you’ll be put in touch with our on call technician.