Clean energy harvest in store for New Zealand solar on farms trial

A New Zealand government program subsidising and testing battery storage and solar systems on farms across the country, have announced an inaugural uptake of 32 agricultural businesses have signed on to its Solar on Farms program.

February 20, 2026 Ev Foley

Image: New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority

Aotearoa New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) has officially announced the first 32 demonstration farms participating in its Solar on Farms program; to test how solar and batteries perform across key sectors.

In partnership with the farms, the EECA works to install solar arrays, smart inverters and batteries to demonstrate the viability of technology and share insights with other New Zealand farmers to encourage further uptake.

The total solar capacity from the 32 farms is 3,616 kW, where 7 have installed 30-50 kW solar systems, 8 have installed 50-100 kW systems, 5 (100-150 kW) and 8 (150 kW+), while four of the farms are utilising batteries only.

One of the larger systems in the program is a 216 kW system installed on a packhouse roof owned by large-scale integrated agricultural enterprise Balle Bros Group, with a 116 kWh battery energy storage system (BESS).

“With high daytime energy demand from chillers and rising electricity costs, it’s a strong example of solar aligned with operational load,” the EECA said.

A range of farm types such as dairy, sheep, beef, horticulture, poultry, nurseries and wine were selected for the program, and the farms have received partial funding toward installation of their systems, plus share performance data, lessons learned, and host on-farm demonstration events to support wider sector uptake.

Solar panels seen inside a warehouse of New Zealand agricultural business Bolle Bros, ready for installaton as part of the Solar for Farms program.
*Image: New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority*

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