Solar on Your Farm
Powering agricultural operations across Auckland and New Zealand
Solar energy is becoming a smart addition to many New Zealand farms. From dairy sheds in the Pukekohe and market gardens and vineyards in north Auckland, farms are turning to solar to reduce energy costs, improve reliability, and make better use of daytime power.
With tailored design, rural-friendly finance options, and high sunshine hours across much of the country, solar is now a practical choice for agricultural businesses.
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How Solar Works on a Farm
Most New Zealand farms use the majority of their electricity during the day — when solar performs at its best.
Use solar power as it’s generated
Your system powers your irrigation, sheds, pumps or chillers in real time.Export excess power to the grid
If you generate more than you use, the extra power flows to the grid.You get credited for the export
Your electricity retailer gives you a credit for what you send back. This reduces your total power bill.At night, you use the grid as normal
Any power you need after dark still comes from the grid — but daytime generation and credits help offset that cost.This combination of self-use and export helps many farms in Auckland and beyond cut energy bills significantly over the course of the year.
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Common Farm Applications
Dairy – Milking systems, hot water, effluent pumps
Horticulture – Irrigation, cool stores, packing sheds
Vineyards & Orchards – Lighting, pumping, trellis systems
Livestock operations – Shearing sheds, water pumping, electric fences
Solar systems are designed around your daily routine — so your farm is using clean energy exactly when it’s needed most.
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System Design for NZ Conditions
Every farm is different. A good solar setup in New Zealand needs to account for:
Daily energy usage patterns
Roof or ground space available for panels
Orientation and shading
Distance to main switchboards
Rural network constraints
Systems can also be designed with future battery storage in mind, giving farms the option to increase energy independence over time.
Finance Options for New Zealand Farms
ASB Smart Solar Loan
ASB has introduced a 0% interest loan to help rural customers across New Zealand invest in solar.
Up to $150,000 per business
0% interest for 5 years
Covers solar panels, inverters, and installation
Available to eligible ASB rural customers
More info:
ASB official info →
Rewiring NZ coverage →
New assets – Investment Boost
“Business Investment Boost”
Installing solar on your farm or commercial rooftop isn’t just a way to cut power costs—it also qualifies for the Government’s New assets – Investment Boost, introduced on 22 May 2025.
This policy lets eligible businesses claim an immediate 20 percent deduction on new depreciable assets like solar systems, then continue with normal depreciation on the remaining cost en.wikipedia.org+6ird.govt.nz+6ird.govt.nz+6.
How it works for a $100,000 solar system
You can claim 20 percent, or $20,000, as an immediate tax deduction in the first year
The remaining $80,000 can still be depreciated over time
If you're GST registered, you can also claim back around $13,000 in GST
This brings your effective upfront cost down to about $67,000
With annual energy savings often between $10,000 and $20,000 depending on your operation, many farm and commercial solar systems pay for themselves in under five years.
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