Trinasolar and Lodestone Pioneer New Zealand’s First Large-Scale Agrivoltaics Farm
In a landmark renewable energy partnership, solar giant Trinasolar and Lodestone are transforming a 10-hectare sheep farm into New Zealand’s premier dual-use solar agriculture site. This 2.5 MW project showcases how sustainable rooftop solar for manufacturing principles can revolutionize farming.
Agrivoltaics: The Future of Sustainable Land Use
Agrivoltaics combines solar energy production and agriculture through elevated panel systems. This breakthrough technology delivers:
- 60% increase in land productivity
- Reduced water evaporation via intelligent shading
- Lower irrigation needs with higher crop yields
- Clean power for farm operations
Project Specifications and Technical Innovation
The farm features Trinasolar’s bifacial panels on single-axis trackers, building on global momentum in agri-solar adoption in Telangana. The system demonstrates solar’s agricultural integration potential while maintaining grazing land.
Triple Benefits for Farming Operations
This pioneering project delivers significant advantages:
- 40% reduction in operational costs
- New revenue from energy generation
- Enhanced climate resilience
- Improved productivity metrics
Global Potential of Solar-Farming Integration
As nations pursue low-carbon solutions, agrivoltaics offers a scalable blueprint for:
- Sustainable food security
- Renewable energy expansion
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Rural economic development
