The sky's the limit to solar farming
There are plenty of possibilities for successful farming operations in, under and around largescale solar electricity generation installations.
A local energy company is working with NZ farmers wanting to combine grazing livestock with hosting solar farms on their land.
Harmony NZ builds owns and operates wind, solar and battery energy storage assets to create renewable energy systems. It has successfully developed renewable projects across multiple technologies throughout the UK. Recently the company recently was granted approval to fasttrack its application for a solar farm in the Waikato, which could generate enough electricity to power 30,000 homes.
Harmony director Pete Grogan says solar farms allows for continued pasture growth, providing farmers with the opportunity to diversify income while continuing to graze livestock. He adds that earthworks are limited and construction is straightforward so disruption for farmers can be kept to a minimum.
"Flat or gently rolling/sloping land with good exposure to sunlight is important," Grogan explains. "As is being close to existing high voltage grid structure."
He says the company also select areas that are away from towns and urban settings to ensure their solar farms have low visual impact.
"There are a limited number of areas that meet these criteria - so this could be a real opportunity for those that do."
Harmony's new project at Tauhei Farms - at Te Aroha, West in the Waikato, will see 329,000 panels constructed on 182 hectares of a 260 hectare site. The company has been granted approval to fast-track its application for the solar farm under the Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act 2020.
Phillip Dibble, a spokesman for Tauhei Farms, says the panel array separation and height above ground will allow for continued pasture growth. He says it has the added benefit of shade and shelter for the sheep that will be grazed at the site.
"All solar panels and other equipment would be significantly set back from surrounding roads," Dibble explains. "All the electricity generated by the panels will flow directly into the national grid for use by homes and businesses."
He believes it's a great option for farm businesses looking to diversify.
"We're proud to be supporting New Zealand's shift to renewable energy."
Grogan adds that renewable energy is critical to mitigate the impact of climate change and help to support New Zealand's net zero ambitions.
"Our solar farms reduce the need to generate energy from non-renewable sources and will contribute significantly to New Zealand's international climate change commitments," he adds.
"Allowing dual land use and combining energy generation with continued farm production is a real benefit of solar power.
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…