Another hemisphere

With much planning I'm here in New Zealand looking at life. Main suprise i guess is the lack of solar pannels and as yet I've seen no wind turbines.
Im staying with with a school friend and his family who are trying very hard with a more scientific approach.  Solar covers his roofcwith each tech devise linked so as to monitor it.  The biggest investment arrives in a couple of weeks; an electric Nissan leaf car not a hybrid . with charging stations spreading he believes it is the way forward. Add to that the ability to use it as a battery pack for the house.