Lightyears Solar is leading the way in local projects, with a growing list of solar farm consents granted.
Their most recent consent is for a dual-use solar farm in Waiuku that will see small animals grazing amongst the solar panels. This project is due to begin construction soon, with early works underway at the site.
The Waiuku Solar Farm is on private land and 4,000 solar panels will be installed over 3 hectares of farmland, generating 2.3 MW of power – enough to power approximately 500 homes in the local community. “The panels will serve two functions: Generating energy and providing mixed land use with pigs and other small livestock,” says Matt Shanks, Lightyears Solar development manager.
“The project is a great example of agrivoltaics – which is the combination of agriculture and solar photovoltaic power generation. Animals can graze while solar panels do their work, allowing for shared use of land and extra lease income for the landowner.
“New Zealand needs more renewable energy sources, though suitable land for solar farms is a limited resource. That’s why dual-use solar at utility-scale is key to meeting the demand for solar power and meeting the increased demand for electrical energy.”
The construction process will begin with fencing and planting native species as screening for the solar farm. Earthworks then allow for the installation of power cables, anchors, frames and the tracking systems that allow the panels to follow the movement of the sun, and lastly, the panels themselves are put in place.
The solar farm will start delivering power mid-2023 and it will have an operational life of 30 years.
Waiuku Solar Farm site