Dozens of Auckland schools and home owners are saving on power and generating their own electricity, thanks to solar panels installed on their roofs.

Arranged by Vector and Entrust through a public “Future of Energy” competition, the solar systems have seen schools, community centres and home owners use free solar power, both when the sun is shining and when it’s not, via a Tesla Powerwall battery installed onsite.

With the first of the 130 installations commencing in 2016, schools and community centres which have been through a full 12 month cycle have seen reductions of up to 18 per cent in the amount of power paid for, compared to the previous 12 months.