Dr Megan Woods, Labour spokesperson for energy and resources, says the party’s Solar Saver policy would use lines companies and community batteries to push solar further into rural communities. She says the current market blocks small generators from selling power locally, and regulatory change is needed.

“We need something called multi-trader relationships,” she says.

She says virtual power plants would also keep communities connected when storms bring lines down.

She says the barrier is not the technology.

“The innovation we need isn’t so much in the technology.”

She says the challenge is getting markets and regulations to catch up so power can be sold within a community.

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.