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Lightyears Solar

Building utility-scale solar farms for New Zealand’s climate future

We develop and build high quality, utility-scale solar PV farms for the New Zealand power grid, connected to national distribution networks.

We have experience in the planning, design and construction of utility-scale solar and infrastructure projects in New Zealand and internationally.

We work closely with landowners to allow productive agriculture to continue via agrivoltaic solutions - sharing land with grazing animals.

We help your business meet its carbon neutral goals by selling you renewable energy direct from our farms via a Power Purchase Agreement.

SOLAR FARM PROJECTS

WAIUKU SOLAR FARM

ASHBURTON SOLAR FARM

WAINGAWA SOLAR FARM

RANGIORA SOLAR FARM

NAUMAI SOLAR FARM

WAHAROA SOLAR FARM

MEET OUR TEAM

MATT SHANKS
GM DEVELOPMENT

Matt Shanks has more than 15 years’ experience in Transmission, Distribution and power generation in the Asia Pacific region, including offshore solar projects. Matt’s areas of specialty are power system earthing, HV power cables, HV substations, project and engineering management.

He knows New Zealand has the capability and resources in place to deploy solar at scale to meet our energy and carbon zero targets. Matt is inspired by the opportunity to bring local talent and innovation to bear in the pursuit of these goals and is passionate about building great teams, making things happen, getting things built, and being part of New Zealand’s solar story.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) and a Bachelor of Music. Alongside his successful engineering career, Matt fills many of his weekends and evenings as a sought-after bass player.

SEAN TOBIN
GM OPERATIONS

Sean Tobin has a background in construction, property development and project management. Lightyears Solar was a product of his desire for a new challenge where he could combine this expertise with his passion for sustainability and contribute to New Zealand’s transition from fossil fuels.

Throughout his career, Sean has thrived in managing complex projects through to completion, including being in charge of large budgets, leading teams and liaising with local government.
Seeing a project come together and something being built and created is what gets him up in the morning. Sean has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Employment Relations, as well as qualifications in finance, marketing and real estate.
In his down time, Sean enjoys boating, running, skiing and spending time with family and friends.

SANJ SINGH
SOLAR ENGINEER

Sanj Singh studied science at the University of Otago and engineering at the University of Auckland. She has worked as a mechanical designer and manager for nearly 20 years. She led a drawing and design team in the steel manufacturing industry and oversaw complex design projects.

She’s inspired by smart, future-proofed design, and the use of technology to create efficiencies for design delivery and operations. As part of the Lightyears team, Sanj values doing something positive for the environment, and is excited to be part of an industry that promotes the positive use of our natural resources and by contributing to a future of lower emissions through clean, renewable energy.
Outside of work, Sanj enjoys exploring nature by fishing and hiking, and cooking and socialising with friends and family.

DAVID MADJAR
PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

David has more than 15 years’ experience as an engineer working across the generation, transmission/distribution, and communications industries and has a wealth of expertise.

David is passionate about strengthening renewable energy generation in Aotearoa and about being involved in an industry which is currently small but growing. Having the opportunity to develop and solve engineering challenges as the industry grows and adding diversity to the generation market are big drivers for him in his work.
David holds a bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Auckland and outside work, spends his time with his young son, and goes sailing when the time and weather allows.

dj UNNIKRISHNAN
GRADUATE ENGINEER

Dhananjay (DJ) Unnikrishnan is a Graduate Engineer who joined Lightyears Solar fresh from completing his Bachelor of Engineering Technology, where he majored in Electrical, and gained vital skills to bring to the role, including in Computer Aided Design.

He has most recently worked as a mechanic at a company that specialises in electric scooters, and is excited to continue working to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels – this time through solar power generation, at Lightyears Solar.
DJ will play a key role in the development of our solar farms, which will provide much-needed electricity from a renewable source.
Outside work, he loves to travel, particularly to natural waterfalls, and plays basketball, football and video games.

AMANDA PEART
COMMUNICATIONS

Amanda Peart is an experienced communications professional and journalist with a strong history of public sector communications, specialising in stakeholder engagement. She has a particular interest in environmental communications and behaviour change..

As part of Lightyears Solar, Amanda is able to combine her interest in the environment and her communications experience to contribute to a future of renewable energy. She will be leading their communications strategy and community and stakeholder engagement.
Outside work, Amanda loves spending time with family, friends and her dog, music, reading and the beach.

MEET OUR BOARD

CALLUM MACDONALD
BOARD MEMBER

Callum Macdonald brings a wealth of expertise in governance and strategic advice for business and many years as a chartered accountant, including running several of his own large accounting firms.

Callum is the principal of Consulere Limited, a specialist consulting firm for litigation support and governance, and previously spent 25 years in public practice, both with his own prominent Auckland-based Chartered Accounting firm and an international Chartered Accounting firm. He has also spent time working in a large District Health Board.   
Callum splits his time between client advice, directorships, advisory board roles, trusteeships and court expert witness work. He is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Directors, and a Director of the Drug Detection Agency. Previously, Callum has also been a Trustee of the Auckland Volunteer Coastguard Charitable Trust and Capri Hospital.

BRODY NELSON
BOARD MEMBER

Brody Nelson is a technical founder, with more than twenty years’ experience developing software solutions for mobile and web, creating tools that improve the way people do business, travel and even plan their leisure time.

He co-founded Daylight (formerly Translate Digital), a mobile-first digital production company, is a co-founder of Stickybeak, a market research business, and in 2015, co-founded the award-winning app Parkable, a tool that connects drivers looking for parking with unused car park spaces near their destination.
Brody has extensive experience across SaaS businesses, product management, technical leadership, software development, and cloud architecture.
He also spent a decade as a teacher in New Zealand the UK, and is passionate about creating opportunities and employment for people and mentoring those who work with him to develop their skills.