Frequently asked questions.

Solar energy is a powerful, renewable, and environmentally friendly resource. Solar farms offer significant advantages over other energy generation methods, providing:

• Emission-free electricity production: Clean energy with no harmful pollutants.

• Quiet operation: Unlike other power sources, solar farms generate electricity silently.

• Minimal technological risk: A proven and reliable technology.

• Low maintenance needs: Efficient operation with minimal upkeep.

• Reduced environmental impact: Lower footprint compared to wind, hydro, and geothermal options.

• Greater resilience: Less affected by weather variations than wind and hydro.

• Farmland restoration & biodiversity promotion: Solar farms can help restore soil health and encourage local wildlife.

• Limited impact on public amenities: Designed to integrate smoothly with existing community infrastructure.

• Diversification of New Zealand's energy portfolio: Strengthening our national energy security.

Ideal sites for our solar projects typically feature:

• Proximity to grid infrastructure: Close to substations or powerlines.

• Land availability: At least 15 hectares of suitable land.

• Flat, clear terrain: Reasonably flat and free of dense vegetation.

• Good access: Easy access for construction and maintenance.

Absolutely! You can continue farming the land as normal right up until construction begins. After construction, we actively encourage grazing sheep in the fields to maintain agricultural use and promote biodiversity.

The typical timeline for a solar project is:

• Development Process: 2-4 years

• Construction: 12-18 months

• Operational Life: A minimum of 35 years

A solar farm can be dismantled as quickly and easily as it's constructed, with very minimal impact on the land.

Once we've secured your land, we handle everything else. We'll secure all necessary resource consents and approvals to connect to the electrical grid. All this work and associated costs are fully covered by us.

No, you don't need to invest any money. We simply ask for some of your time to review and approve plans and concepts. All development work, including securing resource consent and grid connection approvals, along with associated costs, are fully covered by us and are not government-subsidized.

Yes, we aim to integrate an energy storage battery where feasible to enhance grid stability and energy supply.

There will be a small level of noise, but all noise emissions will remain well within regulatory guidelines. We actively work to minimise any impact on the surrounding environment.

Yes, we will screen the project with native vegetation where needed to minimise visual impact and enhance local ecosystems.

During the construction phase, you'll typically see an increase in vehicles delivering materials to the site. We implement a traffic management plan to prevent damage and minimise disruption. Once the solar farm is built, traffic will almost entirely cease.

• Minimal Glare: Solar panels are designed to absorb sunlight for efficiency. They have a non-reflective coating to significantly reduce glare, which means the amount of reflected light is very minimal.

• Mitigation & Assessment: Any potential glare is thoroughly analysed during the resource consent phase, and mitigation measures are put in place.

• Proven Coexistence: Solar farms successfully operate next to airports worldwide without causing glare issues for pilots. Similarly, in Europe, panels run adjacent to motorways with no reported problems.

• Shielded from View: Panels are also shielded from view using screening vegetation and maintaining appropriate setbacks. There are no visible lights on the solar farm.

• Zero Emissions: Solar panels produce electricity by converting sunlight, a process that involves no harmful emissions or byproducts.

• The project is analysed during the resource consent phase and any potential glare identified will be mitigated against.

• Numerous airports around the world have solar farms next to them, with no glare issues for pilots. This is the same in Europe where solar panels run adjacent to motorways and freeways with no issues.

• The panels are also shielded from view using screening vegetation and maintaining setbacks. There are no visible lights on the solar farm.

There will be some ground disturbance during construction for trenching and the installation of mounting frames. However, we minimise this wherever possible. Solar infrastructure generally has a low impact, and we work diligently to reduce soil disturbance and prevent carbon release into the atmosphere.

• No Health Risks from Panels: Solar panels themselves pose no health risks. They generate electricity purely by converting sunlight into electrical energy, a process free of harmful emissions or byproducts.

• Construction Safety: Like any construction project, there are inherent risks. We implement a robust health and safety plan to mitigate these during the construction phase.

• Material Safety: While solar panels contain chemicals, these are securely encased within protective layers and will not leach into the soil or groundwater.

• Comprehensive Assessment: Our Resource Consent application includes a detailed assessment of all health and safety aspects, covering emergency access, fire prevention, and environmental protection. Specific measures include maintaining appropriate grass length and implementing non-combustible fire breaks.

• End-of-Life and Restoration: We are committed to environmental stewardship. A detailed site restoration plan will be developed closer to the end of the lease (35 years) to ensure the land is returned to, or improved upon, its original condition. The disposal of solar panel components will be managed responsibly according to the best practices available at that time.

As we are leasing the land from you, selling your land is certainly an option should your circumstances change. Any buyer would acquire the land and the associated lease, along with the consistent rent generated from the solar farm, as the lease is directly linked to the land.

No. Only about 0.5% of the solar farm will be in direct contact with the ground, and the entire footprint of the solar panels will cover only around one-third of the site. The land underneath the panels will remain permeable farmland, ensuring no increased flood risk.

Solar farms consist of rows of solar panels, typically oriented north, positioned approximately 1 meter above the ground with a height of up to 2.9 meters. There's usually 3-4 meters of spacing between rows. This strategic arrangement ensures panels don't shade each other, maintaining optimal electricity generation.

While panels do move to track the sun, they are fixed at specific angles to maximise sun exposure. To reduce visual impact, solar farms can be shielded by maintaining setbacks from boundaries and implementing appropriate native screen planting. These measures not only address aesthetic concerns but also contribute to creating new habitats and enhancing biodiversity.

Studies have concluded that any heating effects from large-scale solar arrays are localised, with no overall day-to-day warming effect on the broader area. These findings are reflected in state planning guidelines, such as those published by Victoria and the comprehensive Large-Scale Solar Energy Guideline from the NSW Government, which provide specific recommendations for design and development. Research from the NREL also highlights the benefits of adding low-growing vegetation under solar panel installations to help mitigate localised temperature increases.

New Zealand's growing solar industry promises a positive future for both the environment and the country. While the visual impact of solar farms is a consideration, there's currently no conclusive evidence that they decrease property values. In fact, solar farms offer several environmental benefits:

• Peace and Quiet: Unlike traditional power plants, solar farms operate silently, providing tranquility for nearby residents.

• Clean Air, Clear Conscience: Solar energy produces zero emissions, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment.

• Reduced Traffic Flow: After construction, solar farms generate power without constant truck deliveries, reducing noise pollution and congestion.

As solar power becomes more established, we anticipate additional benefits:

• Less Intrusive Plants: The rise of solar farms may lead to a decrease in more visually disruptive power generation facilities like wind farms and geothermal plants, potentially improving the overall aesthetic appeal of the surrounding area.

While the solar industry is relatively young, the potential for solar farms to coexist with, or even enhance, property values is promising. It's important to consider the specifics of each project, but the environmental advantages, reduced visual impact with careful planning, and the potential decline of more visually disruptive plants all paint a positive picture for New Zealand's sustainable future.