Thames’ Living Well Trust has taken a major step toward a more sustainable and resilient future with the installation of a 29.7kW solar power system at its community hub on Mary St.
For more than 30 years, the trust has been a lifeline for the marginalised, isolated, and homeless – providing meals, mentoring, school programmes, and the Thames Community Foodbank.
Now, with the help of Meridian’s Community Decarbonisation Fund and local partner Adams Electrical, the organisation is turning sunshine into savings, freeing up resources for the people who need them most.
The new solar installation includes 66 high-efficiency panels, and battery storage providing 19.2kWh of usable capacity. Together, the system is expected to generate over 41,000kWh of clean energy each year, cutting the Trust’s power bills by an estimated $5800 annually – and more than $124,000 over its lifetime based on best estimates.
The environmental gains are equally significant: each year, the system will avoid around five tonnes of CO₂ emissions, the equivalent of 912 trees planted or 447,000 car kilometres avoided.
Living Well Trust team lead Eddie Churton said the project was about much more than energy savings.
“This is about resilience. With solar and battery backup, we can keep the food bank open, the kettle on and the ovens running even in an emergency. It’s about making sure our most vulnerable whānau are never left without support.”
The Thames Coromandel District Council has also recognised the Trust’s facilities – including a planned new shower – as vital for Civil Defence readiness, contributing funding to ensure the site can operate as a community support base during emergencies.
“A huge thank you to Meridian Energy for providing the bulk of the funding through their Community Decarbonisation Fund, to Thames Coromandel District Council for their generous support, and to Adams Electrical for their outstanding work installing the system and tidying up our electrical infrastructure,” Eddie said.
“This has truly been a team effort.”
The trust hoped its solar initiative would inspire other community organisations to explore renewable energy, Eddie said.
“Sustainability and compassion can walk hand in hand.
“By going solar, we’re not just reducing costs – we’re showing our community what’s possible.”
Over the past year, Living Well Trust has provided: 1430 meals through “Tasty Tuesday”; 1068 food parcels (around 17,088 meals) from the Foodbank; 4534 visits to the Open Door drop-in; 5800+ young people engaged through resilience and mentoring programmes in schools.
