Trinasolar announces completion of construction of Rangitaiki agrivoltaic solar farm in New Zealand

By Trinasolar
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Trinasolar has announced the completion of construction of the Rangitaiki solar farm, located in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty. In a further collaboration with Lodestone Energy, the project marks another significant milestone in the country’s renewable energy landscape by seamlessly integrating expertise, innovative technology and strategic partnerships, setting a new standard for grid-scale solar installations in New Zealand.

Integrating Agrivoltaics for Optimal Land Use

“Agrivoltaics addresses local community concerns regarding land use. By integrating solar farms with agricultural activities, Lodestone Energy can maintain approximately 80% of grass productivity, ensuring that the land continues to support local farming needs,” explained Lodestone MD Gary Holden.

Utilising some 60,000 bi-facial Trinasolar Vertex modules mounted on TrinaTracker Vanguard 2P tracker systems, the farm maximises land use efficiency by allowing sheep to graze comfortably underneath the elevated modules. This innovative dual-use approach not only boosts energy production, with a capacity of 32 MW generating enough annual electricity to power 7,500 local homes, but also supports sustainable farming practices, providing mutual benefits for both the country’s energy and agriculture sectors.

“From a pasture management perspective, the 2P trackers are ideal. They allow animals to move freely under the modules without confinement, providing essential shade and promoting continuous grass growth even during dry conditions,” added Edison Zhou, Trina Asia Pacific’s head for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Nick Murray, Lodestone Energy’s Program Delivery Manager, highlighted the pioneering nature of this setup: “The 2P setup was initially perceived as a risk since no one had done it here in New Zealand before. However, having a total solutions supplier like Trinasolar allowed us to get answers to our questions quickly. This collaboration was one of the greatest benefits as, with Trina’s help, we rapidly learned how to deliver grid-scale solar.”

Innovative Solutions and Strategic Partnerships

As a total solutions provider, Trinasolar’s integrated tracker and module supplier model proved to be a game-changer for this project, enabling rapid resolution of technical queries and ensuring a streamlined installation process. This is the second time Lodestone and Trina have collaborated on an agrivoltaics project, further developing a proven concept.

One of the most challenging aspects of the project was the transportation of modules and equipment to New Zealand. With approximately 200 shipping containers required, the country’s smaller ports posed a significant challenge. However, Trinasolar’s position as sole vendor facilitated better tracking and management of logistics, significantly simplifying the process.

“Having a single vendor made tracking and managing logistics much easier. Once on-site, having one provider for installation ensured compatibility and minimised potential issues that might have arisen with multiple suppliers. The ease of installing Trinasolar’s trackers, along with their expert support, was crucial in achieving this milestone in just eight months,” Murray went on. “The experience gained from previous installations, combined with Trinasolar’s support, played a crucial role in our expedited timeline.”

“Our goal is to support local agriculture and foster collaboration. We’re in early discussions with universities to trial various agrivoltaic techniques. The Rangitaiki Solar Farm will serve as a prototype for these initiatives, allowing us to develop and refine our practices,” he concluded.

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