The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has awarded $100,000 funding for 25 Nelson homes and businesses to be outfitted with solar water heating.
The outfit is part of an Energyshift project testing a Solar City concept, which is aiming to have solar power installed in 1000 Nelson homes and businesses.
The scheme would use smart software to monitor and improve the performance of solar hot water systems, as well as provide options to make the systems more financially accessible, Energyshift spokesman Andrew Booth said.
Nelson City Council is working as a partner on the project and Mayor Kerry Marshall said the pilot scheme was good news.
"This pilot will give Nelson residents and businesses confidence in the solar hot water systems available to them and demonstrate the financial and environmental benefits they provide," Mr Marshall said.
NZPA