- Solar developer, Lodestone Energy again partners
with Trinasolar – with the partnership, the first of its kind
for NZ, delivering grid scale project: Bringing agrivoltaics to the
fore in the Bay of Plenty, New
Zealand
- Agrivoltaics involves dual use of land for solar energy
production and agriculture
- Trinasolar tracker and module supplier model chosen for
streamlined operations and expedient timelines
- The design utilising 2 in portrait modules with autonomous
tracking enhances energy production, boasting a capacity of 32 MW
and generating enough electricity to power 7,500 Kiwi homes
AUCKLAND, New Zealand,
July 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --
Trinasolar, a global leader in smart photovoltaic (PV) and energy
storage solutions, is proud to announce the successful completion
of the construction of the Rangitaiki Solar Farm, located the Bay
of Plenty, New Zealand. In
collaboration with Lodestone Energy, this landmark project marks
another significant milestone in New
Zealand'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. As
an integrated total solutions provider, Trinasolar has demonstrated
its capacity to deliver comprehensive renewable energy solutions,
from solar modules to trackers, ensuring the highest standards of
quality and efficiency.
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 Gary
Holden, Managing Director of Lodestone Energy.
Agrivoltaics, the practice of integrating agriculture with solar
energy production, is at the forefront of the Rangitaiki Solar
Farm's design, heralding a new era of renewable energy.
Utilising nearly 60,000 bi-facial Trinasolar Vertex modules
mounted on TrinaTracker's 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 electricity to power 7,500 Kiwi
homes annually, but also supports sustainable farming practices,
providing mutual benefits for both the energy and agriculture
sectors in New Zealand.
"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, Head of Australia, New
Zealand and Pacific Islands at Trinasolar Asia Pacific.
Nick Murray, Program Delivery
Manager at Lodestone Energy, highlighted the pioneering nature of
this setup, "The 2P setup was initially perceived as a risk since
no one had done it 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 we learned how
to deliver grid-scale solar in New
Zealand, with the robust support of Trinasolar."
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 was the second
time Lodestone had worked with Trinasolar on an agrivoltaics
project, further expanding on a proven concept.
One of the most challenging aspects of the project was the
logistics of transporting 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 the 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," said Murray.
"The experience gained from previous installations, combined with
Trinasolar's support, played a crucial role in our expedited
timeline."
The Rangitaiki Solar Farm also serves as a testbed for various
agrivoltaic initiatives. Lodestone is exploring the trial of
cultivation of crops, such as strawberries, between the rows of
solar modules. This method not only optimizes land use but also
enhances the efficiency of bifacial solar modules by reflecting
sunlight onto the modules.
"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," said Murray.
Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future
The successful integration of agrivoltaics at the Rangitaiki
Solar Farm marks a significant step forward in the renewable energy
sector. By combining solar power generation with sustainable
farming practices, Trinasolar and Lodestone Energy are paving the
way for a greener and more sustainable future in New Zealand. This underscores Trinasolar's
commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions and supporting
New Zealand's transition to a
sustainable energy future. This project not only enhances the
country's energy portfolio but also sets a precedent for future
renewable energy projects.
For more information on Trinasolar's innovative solutions,
please visit https://www.trinasolar.com/au/.
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