A few months ago, Rewiring Aotearoa circulated a document showing what needed to happen to unlock the potential of farm solar and storage, so it's great to see some of those things coming to fruition, says CEO Mike Casey.

One of the most interesting aspects of this announcement is the creation of what Casey calls a "SWAT team for rural solar".

"Farmers are obviously keen to reduce their energy costs, but there are lots of barriers in the way. They often don't have big enough jousting sticks - or enough time - to fight against the incumbents or get past antiquated restrictions to get set up. A dedicated independent team to help farmers navigate the complexity of the energy sector will make a big difference to adoption rates, but we also need some changes to the rules and regulations to modernise things across the board."

Given the many benefits of farm solar and storage, both at the farm level and for the country as a whole, Casey says more announcements are expected to follow, "but with this package from the Government, the launch of ASB's 0% loan for five years for solar and the turnkey solar solution now offered by Farmlands, this is a big moment for the rural sector, for New Zealand's energy system, and for Rewiring Aotearoa". 

Farmers are smart, and when they start producing their own energy, they start to look for new ways to use it, says Casey.

"This could be the start of an electric rural revolution."

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See the full release below: 

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Energy Minister Simon Watts has announced the Government’s new Solar on Farms initiative, which will support farmers in taking the next step towards installing solar and battery systems, helping them reduce energy costs, increase on-farm resilience, and allow farmers to gain greater control over their power use, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.

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The Solar on Farms package includes:

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• Independent and practical tools and advice to assist farmers
• A dedicated help function to guide farmers through the opportunities
• Feasibility studies and technology demonstrations tailored to various farm types
• Real-life energy data for different farm types, showing how solar energy works in practice
• Independent advice on progressing consents and applications with local and regional bodies and Electricity Distribution Businesses
• A partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Finance to accelerate access to finance, making it quicker, simpler and easier.

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"Kiwi farmers have a long history of adapting, problem-solving and finding ways to be smart with land and resources. Real progress comes from the ground up, from people who understand the land, the seasons, and how to run a business,” Mr Watts says.

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“That’s why we want to give farmers more choices and the ability to unlock the cost savings that come with on-farm solar, batteries, and flexible energy systems. However, to achieve this, farmers require the correct information, evidence, tools, and trusted advice.

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“That’s where Solar on Farms comes in. It’s a practical support package that helps farmers determine if solar and battery systems are right for them by working with them to navigate the details of installing and leveraging this technology for their businesses. The package provides farmers with direct access to independent advice. It offers solutions tailored to various farm types and energy profiles.

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“Farms across New Zealand, especially those using irrigation and other energy-intensive systems, are facing increasingly high and unpredictable energy costs. This adds real pressure to already tight margins.

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“On-farm solar and batteries can help reduce that pressure by improving self-sufficiency and lowering exposure to rising energy prices, especially in rural and remote areas. Generating electricity on-farm also creates opportunities to receive revenue from solar electricity back to the grid.

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“Early modelling tells us that if 30 per cent of Kiwi farms installed larger systems – of the size we see on some farms already – they could generate as much as 10 per cent of New Zealand’s current electricity demand. This is a real win for the security of our energy supply.”

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EECA is leading the delivery of Solar on Farms in collaboration with farmers, sector bodies, and technical experts, and the package of initiatives will be available soon.

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Fieldays 2025 also celebrated the launch of Farmlands Flex, a complementary solar on farms product from Farmlands and energy innovator Blackcurrent, with the support of Ara Ake, New Zealand’s energy innovation centre. The product combines solar, batteries and smart software in a fully managed system that enables users to generate, store and manage their energy on-site.

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“The Farmlands Flex product includes equipment, flexible demand management software, and takes care of the installation and application processes on behalf of the farmer,” says Mr Watts.

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“It is an excellent demonstration of how solar purchasing and installation can be made more efficient.”

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Mr Watts also welcomed ASB’s recent announcement of a new 0 percent solar loan aimed at helping farmers secure long-term energy resilience and cost savings.

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“I look forward to seeing how products like Farmlands Flex, the ASB SMART solar loan, and our Solar on Farms initiative help set the farming sector up for long-term success.”

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