SOLAR ON FARMS
Our farming community has always been the backbone to a strong Aotearoa - from producing food that feeds the world to keeping our local economy thriving at home. With a deep understanding of both the land and good business, kiwi farmers are stewards, innovators, and problem solvers ready to embrace new solutions.
With power prices continuing to rise, and more and more financial tools coming to market, it has never been a better time to go solar for greater on-farm value and energy independence.
At ZEN Energy, we customise solar and battery solutions to deliver against your specific farm’s goals and operational requirements.
We specialise in Offgrid, Hybrid, and rural systems designed to:
What you can expect at each step
THE ZEN PROCESS
FOR YOUR FARM
We are engaged and present through every step of your solar journey. Our sales team and technical engineers will assess your property to determine the right system size for you.
Free Solar Feasibility Assessment
Meet and understand your requirements.
Technical Site Visit & Study
We may conduct a paid site study at your farm before providing a customised quote.
Full Installation Management
End to end support in terms of delivering your solar project.
Monitoring & Maintenance
Provide relevant tools and ongoing support. Includes regular check-ins involving panel cleaning and maintenance.
DAIRY FARM PAYBACK GUIDANCE
Size
Small
(200 cows)
Medium
(400 cows)
Large
(600+ cows)
Shed Type
Herringbone,
older rotary
Rotary or larger
herringbone
High-capacity
rotary, feedpads etc.
Roof Size
300-400m²
400-500m²
600-800+m²
Typical Array Size
40kW
60kW
100kW
Cost (exc GST)
$60,000
$90,000
$150,000
Payback
6 years
6 years
6 years
Savings per year
$10,000
$15,000
$30,000
Whakamuru Farms
Located near Taupō in the central North Island, the Walters run two farms — one milking around 500 cows, the other around 550 — which have been in operation for a number of years. When Pete Walters recently switched power contracts, he was struck by how significantly electricity costs had risen. Looking to reduce the risk of power outages and build greater resilience into their farming operations, the Walters began exploring alternative energy solutions. A competitive offer from their bank, combined with the knowledge that their heaviest energy use falls during daylight hours, made solar energy the natural choice.
Products
Site 1
- System size: 41.8 kW
- 1 x Sungrow 29.9kW 3P 3MPPT Grid-tied Inverter
- 88 x LONGi Panel 475W Tairay HPBC 2.0 Cell - Black Frame
- Premium Schletter rails
Site 2
- System size: 38.72 kW
- 1 x Sungrow 29.9kW 3P 3MPPT Grid-tied Inverter
- 88 x LONGi Panel 440W Scientist HPBC Cell All Black - Black Frame
- Premium Schletter rails
"ZEN showed us in the modelling that we could pay back our system in just 4-5 years time. After that, it would be free money. A great solution to our power conundrum."
- Pete Walters, Whakamuru Farm
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Located near Taupō in the central North Island, the Walters run two farms — one milking around 500 cows, the other around 550 — which have been in operation for a number of years. When Pete Walters recently switched power contracts, he was struck by how significantly electricity costs had risen. Looking to reduce the risk of power outages and build greater resilience into their farming operations, the Walters began exploring alternative energy solutions. A competitive offer from their bank, combined with the knowledge that their heaviest energy use falls during daylight hours, made solar energy the natural choice.
Products
Site 1
- System size: 41.8 kW
- 1 x Sungrow 29.9kW 3P 3MPPT Grid-tied Inverter
- 88 x LONGi Panel 475W Tairay HPBC 2.0 Cell - Black Frame
- Premium Schletter rails
Site 2
- System size: 38.72 kW
- 1 x Sungrow 29.9kW 3P 3MPPT Grid-tied Inverter
- 88 x LONGi Panel 440W Scientist HPBC Cell All Black - Black Frame
- Premium Schletter rails
"ZEN showed us in the modelling that we could pay back our system in just 4-5 years time. After that, it would be free money. A great solution to our power conundrum."
- Pete Walters, Whakamuru Farm
Making the switch is easy
CUSTOMISED SOLAR ProductS
FOR YOUR FARM
Ideal for unproductive or specialised land. ZEN has a premium, durable solution which optimises space for livestock, crops and irrigation.
LONGi panels deliver world-class efficiency and resilience. They have a thirty year warranty and award-winning 23% efficiency guarantee.
Our solutions combine global trust with proven reliability. From Pylontech to Sungrow, our brands offer whole farm backup to combat the NZ climate.
Reinvent How
You Do Power
Talk to our team and get solar for your business
RESOURCES
In a rising-price environment, the temptation may be to source the cheapest available panels to offset cost increases. This is a false economy. The true cost of a solar investment is measured over decades, not months — and in that context, panel quality and manufacturer stability are everything.
Installing solar panels on rental properties is now a strategic investment for landlords. Solar can help you increase rental income, achieve Green Star credentials, cut tenant energy costs, and enable tenants to reduce their carbon footprint, making it a beneficial commercial decision.
Having only launched into the market in 2022, Orkestra is now the leading Australian-based B2B energy modelling software company supporting businesses around the world to unlock clean energy solutions.