Get Started with Solar with Dana Darwin
A four hour workshop
Saturday 1pm to 4pm
21 February
Standard Price $60.00/ CSC $54.00
Build a clear, practical understanding of solar and options so that you can understand the process to make informed choices.
This workshop will introduce options, important considerations, benefits and limits and look at your unique circumstances. The workshop is independent from any solar power company and will not be trying to sell products.
- Understanding solar
- Understanding options
- Understanding most important considerations
- Understanding benefits and limits
- Understand the process that is right for your unique circumstances to be able to
make an informed choice
This four hour workshop will be structured around;
- An intro to solar
- NZ electricity network and your home
- Solar systems – how they fit into the existing electricity system
- Site suitability
- Scoping solar for your home
- Investment considerations
- Choosing products and suppliers
- Installation considerations
- Process and timelines
- Building a personal solar plan
Dana Darwin
Dana Darwin brings more than 40 years of practical experience in renewable energy, sustainable design, and systems thinking. He began building and installing alternative energy systems as a teenager and has since worked across off-grid homes, solar thermal and PV systems, energy storage, and community-scale energy projects in New Zealand and internationally.
In New Zealand, Dana founded Energy Alternatives NZ, worked with national solar companies, and contributed to industry development through the Solar Association of New Zealand (SANZ), including time in executive and editorial roles. Dana and his company are long-term, current members of the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ). His work has involved close engagement with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, local government, schools, and community organisations—translating technical energy concepts into real-world decisions people can actually act on.
Dana is now based on Waiheke Island and is acting-lead of WE Share Community Power, a community-led initiative exploring how households can better understand solar, batteries, and future energy options in ways that are practical, ethical, and community-focused. His teaching approach is grounded, independent, and experience-based—designed to give people confidence, clarity, and realistic expectations, rather than pushing products or one-size-fits-all answers.