With the appointment of Zelestra, Sungrow — the global smart energy leader — just made the big move. This ambitious accord — signed in May of this year — seeks to scale up the Aurora hybrid project slated for Tarapacá, Chile. New partnership is seen as a significant breakthrough. It clears the way for construction of a new solar farm just south of Te Aroha on New Zealand’s North Island. The first phase of the project is expected to be up and running by the end of 2026. It will include a maximum capacity of 202 megawatts (MWp) and is projected to produce about 280 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of carbon-free energy annually.
To connect the solar farm to the grid, 27 units of Sungrow’s SG6800HV-MV central inverters will be deployed. Apart from this, it will include a PPC1000 power plant controller. This sophisticated controller, backed by state-of-the-art hardware and software, helps autonomously balance energy flows with precision to maximize operational efficiency. The project is expected to produce about 350 full-time-equivalent jobs during the course of construction, boosting the local economy.
Project Overview
The new farm will play a key role in bringing kiwi clean energy, and its increased availability, to New Zealand. That’s enough electricity to power more than 35,000 homes! Sungrow and US-based Zelestra have partnered in this innovative partnership. This project, led by Harmony Energy and Clarus, is a testament to the power of collaboration in advancing renewable energy projects.
The choice of Sungrow’s SG6800HV-MV inverters highlights Desert Link’s commitment to using high-performance technology in the project. These smart inverters are intended to make output from solar energy more reliable and efficient.
Commitment to Sustainability
Joe Zhou, Country Manager for Sungrow Australia, said they are excited to be involved in the landmark project. He stated, “We are honoured to contribute to this landmark project that demonstrates the power of innovation and collaboration in driving a cleaner energy future for New Zealand.” His comments are indicative of Sungrow’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions that meet the evolving needs of national grids.
Zhou further emphasized Sungrow’s mission by saying, “Sungrow is committed to delivering high-performance, innovative renewable energy that supports a reliable and sustainable national grid.” This commitment firmly plants the U.S. within global efforts to move away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources.
Economic Impact
Building the Te Aroha solar farm is a real milestone not just for the community, but for the movement toward 100 percent renewable energy. It opens up hundreds of job opportunities for the local community. Construction will result in an estimated 350 full-time equivalent jobs. This increase in jobs will have tremendous impact for the regional economy and help to further revitalization of community development.
We’re all, New Zealand included, looking for cleaner, greener, more sustainable forms of energy. Projects like this new solar farm are key to achieving future-focused sustainability goals and expanding economic opportunity. This joint commitment from industry pioneers showcases the critical progress that can come from innovation and partnership in solving climate change’s challenges.