Genesis opens SI solar farm

Genesis Energy’s 90,000 solar panel farm at Lauriston in the South Island has opened.

Worth about $104 million, the project completed by a joint venture partnership between Genesis and FRV Australia (FRV) is reported to be the largest operational solar farm in New Zealand.

The 63MWp solar farm about 20km north of Ashburton, Canterbury, generates renewable energy for businesses and households across New Zealand and is expected to last at least 35 years.

The panels can generate up to 100,000MWh of electricity annually, enough to power about 13,000 households, says Genesis, adding the solar farm is on 93 hectares leased from a local farming family, the site used for sheep grazing, with the panels able to track the sun.

Lauriston solar farm has three full time staff to maintain its operation and has also created ongoing local contracts for maintenance such as panel cleaning, fence repair and road grading.

The employment benefits extend through the local supply chains to fuel supply, vehicle servicing, accommodation, hospitality, cleaning companies, tradespeople, tool and equipment suppliers and many other businesses, says Genesis.

FRV has solar farms generating more than 1000MW, with another 600MW of solar projects approved.