New Zealand solar farms have been producing record amounts of energy this summer, according to the Electricity Authority (EA). On February 22, solar generation reached a peak of 119 megawatts (MW).
From February 16 to 22, the mean daytime solar generation was 60 MW, with a total weekly generation of 11.8 GWh, which is enough energy to power 1,620 households for a year.
According to the EA, solar power, despite its intermittency, aids in conserving water in New Zealand’s dams and fuel in gas- and coal-powered thermal plants, which can be used when solar or wind energy is limited.
Large-scale solar generation in New Zealand has a total capacity of 140 MW, which is approximately 1.3% of the country’s total installed generation. When rooftop solar is included, the total capacity rises to 548 MW, or 5% of total generation.
As of now, New Zealand’s large-scale solar farms include the Kohirā in Kaitaiā, which went online in November 2023; the 24 MW Rangitaiki solar farm in the Bay of Plenty, which began generating electricity in March 2024; and the 47 MW Lauriston Solar Farm in South Island.
Two additional grid-connected farms, Te Puna Mauri ō Omaru in Northland and Te Herenga o Te Rā in the Bay of Plenty, are also generating power and will soon be fully commissioned.
Te Herenga o Te Rā in Bay of Plenty is expected to generate 69 GWh annually when fully commissioned, enough to power more than 9,600 homes.
Moreover, several solar farms are planned or underway in New Zealand. These include the Meridian Energy and Nova Energy joint venture for the 400 MW Te Rahui farm.
Contact Energy and Lightsource are also investing in the 168 MWp Kōwhai Park farm, which is expected to be operational in 2026.
Genesis Energy and FRV Australia are partnering to construct a 40 MW farm in Foxton, with construction expected to begin in 2026. Additionally, Lodestone Energy is currently building a 32 MWp farm in Whitianga.