| Work Detail |
Trinasolar, a global provider of smart photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage solutions, has partnered with Lodestone Energy to bring one of New Zealand’s latest and largest agrivoltaics farms, Te Herenga o Te Ra, into operation this year. Located along the Waiotahe River in the Opotiki District, the project has been developed on a former dairy farm and aims to deliver clean, renewable energy to the region while maintaining the land’s agricultural use through sheep grazing beneath the solar modules. Construction of the solar farm, which features over 71,000 modules, began in December 2023 and achieved first generation by December 2024. The construction progressed faster than anticipated, largely due to the ongoing collaboration between Trinasolar as the module supplier and Lodestone Energy as the project developer. This is the third agrivoltaics project undertaken by the two partners, and their continued collaboration has allowed for refinements in construction processes. Incremental improvements in repetitive installation tasks led to significant efficiencies at scale, enabling the project to stay ahead of schedule. Connor Dent, grazing lessee and pastoralist of Lodestone’s first agrivoltaics project, Kohira, said in a statement, “As a civil engineer, I was directly involved in constructing Lodestone’s first solar farm, Kohira, which gave me a unique perspective on the project from the ground up. Through this work, I became aware of the opportunity to trial grazing under the panels and was keen to take it on!” He further added, “Since then, I’ve seen firsthand the benefits of agrivoltaics for both the land and livestock. The panels provide shelter, which has improved lamb survival rates, and we’ve noticed better grass retention through dry periods. There are some challenges, like managing fertilizer application and working the dogs when the panels are tilted, but overall, it’s been a really positive experience. Seeing the project through from construction, to now farming on the land has been incredibly rewarding.” Once fully operational, the 42 MWp solar farm is expected to generate 69 GWh of clean energy annually, enough to power approximately 10,000 homes. It will also become the first solar project in New Zealand to feed electricity directly into the grid. In line with Lodestone’s approach to combining renewable energy generation with agriculture, Te Herenga o Te Ra will integrate sheep grazing under the elevated solar modules. The design provides shade for sheep during the warmer months, helping to reduce heat stress, while their natural grazing helps manage vegetation growth, reducing maintenance costs, herbicide use, and machinery emissions. Edison Zhou, Head of Trinasolar Australia & New Zealand, said in a statement, “We are proud to continue our strong partnership with Lodestone, delivering high-performance solar solutions for New Zealand’s growing renewable energy sector. Te Herenga o Te Ra is a standout example of how solar and agriculture can work together seamlessly, and we look forward to supporting more innovative projects in this space. Globally, interest in agrivoltaics is accelerating, and Lodestone is at the forefront of delivering large-scale, dual-use projects. Their work is setting a benchmark for agrivoltaics initiatives worldwide, and we’re excited to be part of their journey.” Gary Holden, Managing Director, Lodestone Energy, recognises the value of strong partners, “Ultimately, Trinasolar’s Vertex N modules were the natural choice, offering superior efficiency and power. When delivering projects at scale, this efficiency becomes even more critical, ensuring we maximise energy output while maintaining reliability. The n-type i-TOPCon technology also enhances longevity, aligning with our commitment to building durable, high-performing solar farms. With Te Herenga o Te Ra, our largest solar farm yet, we’ve continued to strengthen our partnerships. Trinasolar’s high-quality modules, robust supply chain, and on-ground support have been instrumental in making this project a success—our third collaboration with them. With these three projects at full generation, we can power around 25,000 Kiwi homes each year.” This project further strengthens the long-standing partnership between Trinasolar and Lodestone Energy. Together, they have deployed nearly 200,000 Trinasolar modules across Lodestone’s three operational solar farms located in Kaitaia, Edgecumbe, and now Waiotahe. As part of the final stages of the project, Lodestone Energy plans to reinstate livestock infrastructure, including new yards and fencing, before welcoming a new grazing lessee to Te Herenga o Te Ra later this year. Through this collaboration, Trinasolar and Lodestone Energy are supporting New Zealand’s zero-carbon targets while advancing global standards for agrivoltaics by successfully combining renewable energy production with sustainable farming practices. |
