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.

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.
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.
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.