Sustainability Superstar
2022 AWARD FINALIST
Sponsored by NZI
Luke Nutting began his working life as an electrician. But, he wasn’t just any electrician. He was also passionate about changing the way energy is created in Aotearoa New Zealand.
By 2050, Aotearoa New Zealand is projected to double its energy consumption. So in 2013, Luke founded Lightforce, a solar powered installation company with a mission to create a lighter and brighter future. Lighter in terms of its environmental impact and brighter in terms of the positive impact it had on community.
Luke has grown Lightforce from a small business to one that now employs more than 120 people. It has seven hubs nationwide and has installed over 20% of Aotearoa New Zealand’s solar market.
Lightforce has led a number of environmental and social projects and initiatives. This includes creating the Lightforce Academy, a collaboration with the Ministry for Social Development that provides training and employment in the solar industry to unemployed rangatahi. Lightforce has also provided solar system installations to charitable organisations through its ‘Solar for Good’ initiative and partnered with various community organisations to support community outcomes.