New Zealand: Trinasolar and Lodestone inaugurate an agrivoltaic farm

The partnership between Trinasolar and Lodestone Energy inaugurates the Rangitaiki agrivoltaic solar farm, combining agriculture and solar energy.

Share:

Ferme solaire agrivoltaïque innovante

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Trinasolar and Lodestone Energy launch the Rangitaiki solar farm in New Zealand, integrating solar energy production and agriculture.
This innovative project uses bifacial Trinasolar Vertex modules on TrinaTracker Vanguard 2P trackers, maximizing land use while allowing sheep to graze under the panels.
This dual approach provides enough energy for 7,500 New Zealand homes while supporting local agriculture.

Land Optimization with Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics combines agriculture and solar power, addressing local concerns about land use.
Gary Holden, Managing Director of Lodestone Energy, reports that this integration maintains around 80% of pasture productivity.
Sheep can graze under the panels, increasing land productivity.
Bifacial modules and trackers enable efficient energy production while supporting sustainable farming practices.
Edison Zhou, Trinasolar’s manager for the Asia-Pacific region, points out that the 2P trackers allow animals to move freely under the modules, promoting continuous grass growth even in dry periods.

Strategic Partnerships and Innovative Solutions

Trinasolar’s integrated module and tracker design facilitates rapid resolution of technical issues and ensures simplified installation.
Nick Murray, Program Manager at Lodestone Energy, notes that Trinasolar’s technical support helped overcome logistical challenges and complete the installation in eight months.
This agrivoltaic project also serves as a testing ground for various agricultural initiatives.
Lodestone plans to grow strawberries between the rows of solar modules, optimizing land use and improving the efficiency of the bifacial modules by reflecting sunlight.
Murray mentions that discussions are underway with universities to test and refine these techniques.

Future prospects and developments

The Rangitaiki farm demonstrates how agrivoltaic solutions can maximize land use by combining solar energy production with agricultural activities.
Trinasolar Vertex bifacial modules and TrinaTracker Vanguard 2P trackers not only enable efficient energy production, but also support sustainable farming practices.
This approach increases land productivity and meets the energy needs of thousands of New Zealand households.
Trinasolar’s integrated solutions facilitate project management and enable rapid installations, as evidenced by the Rangitaiki farm’s completion in eight months.
Logistical challenges are overcome thanks to a single supplier of modules and trackers, ensuring optimum compatibility and minimizing potential problems.
The Rangitaiki agrivoltaic initiative also serves as a platform for testing various agricultural techniques.
The Rangitaiki project thus illustrates innovation in the renewable energy sector, offering sustainable models of energy production and land management.
The strategic partnerships between Trinasolar and Lodestone Energy continue to push the boundaries of innovation and collaboration, demonstrating the benefits of an integrated approach to energy and agriculture.

The consortium led by Engie and Masdar has been selected to develop a 1.5 GW photovoltaic plant in Abu Dhabi, aimed at expanding the emirate’s solar capacity under its long-term energy strategy.
T1 Energy invests in private solar cell manufacturer Talon PV to support industrial expansion of the U.S. solar sector and address rising grid demand.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is reviewing a loan for a 100 MW photovoltaic project led by Qair in Tunisia, backed by a long-term power purchase agreement with the national utility.
French independent producer CVE has commissioned an agrivoltaic pilot project in Haute-Loire, aiming to test solar panel integration on a cattle farm ahead of a future 12 MWc installation.
Geronimo Power celebrated the near completion of its 125 MW solar farm in Jackson County, marking a major step for the local economy and regional power grid.
GOLDBECK SOLAR Polska has received the Final Operational Notification for its Zwartowo photovoltaic facility, marking a key regulatory milestone in the development of large-scale solar projects in Poland.
H.E Energy will develop 100 low-voltage solar facilities totalling 10MWDC in Hokkaido for SMFL Mirai Partners, with commissioning scheduled by June 2026.
Hokkaido Gas has launched a 2MW solar power plant in Kamishihoro, with an expected annual output of 4.4GWh to be distributed locally through energy supplier Karch.
Sembcorp Industries has signed a purchase agreement to acquire a 300-megawatt solar plant in India, boosting its renewable energy footprint to a total capacity of 6.9 gigawatts.
Spanish solar energy producers have recorded 693 hours of zero or negative prices since January, already matching the total for the previous year, raising concerns about the sector’s profitability and market stability.
Mars signs a major contract with GoldenPeaks Capital to develop over 100 solar plants in Poland, aiming to power its European operations and supply chain with renewable electricity.
Doral Renewables has signed a power purchase agreement for 75% of the output from its Cold Creek Solar project, expanding its contracted portfolio to over 1.6 GW nationwide.
SNCF Voyageurs secures direct solar electricity supply from two plants owned by Octopus Energy and BayWa r.e., through 25-year agreements aimed at powering its rail network.
The end of China's VAT rebate and reduced output bring an end to eighteen months of historically low prices in solar and storage sectors.
The Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects has shortlisted several companies for Phase III of the Al Dibdibah solar plant, with a net capacity of 500 MW.
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has agreed to examine compensation claims by ACME Solar and AMPIN Energy, citing losses caused by non-operational transmission lines.
Waaree Energies has activated a new 950 MW photovoltaic module production line in Degam, strengthening its industrial investment programme in western India.
India opens a new rooftop solar tender phase, offering 3,640 kW under the RESCO model, with a pre-bid meeting held online on October 6 by Solar Energy Corporation of India.
The Japanese developer has reached a total of 100MW in solar capacity under power purchase agreements with Microsoft, spread across four projects in the country, two of which are already operational.
SNCF Énergie signed four new renewable electricity purchase agreements with Neoen in July, covering the annual consumption equivalent of the TGV Paris–Bordeaux line.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.