PTC Trust in collaboration with the Chair in Sustainable Energy Systems organised a couple of workshops for our rangatahi this month. Professor Brent shared with the group the need for NZ to reduce coal and gas dependency and look toward solar-based renewable energy for a more self-sufficient future. This message is being echoed by Energy suppliers. New Zealand’s Ecotricity for example reports on its website that “it will support its growing customer base by adding supply of 100% NewRenewable generation from Genesis, including the newly constructed Waipipi wind farm”.

Our Horowhenua group had a quick review of physics terms- power, current and voltage; then they were off to investigate solar panels and their effects. Finally, they were given the task of building and racing their uniquely designed solar car. The workshop featured on Engineering Facebook site as well as Horowhenua college facebook.