Frequently asked questions.

• It serves as a renewable and abundant energy source, harnessed in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Solar farms boast established advantages over alternative energy generation methods, encompassing:

• emission-free electricity production

• quiet, electricity generation

• minimal technological risk

• low maintenance needs

• reduced environmental impact compared to wind, hydro and geothermal options.

• greater resilience to weather variations than wind and hydro alternatives.

• restoration of farmland

• promotion of biodiversity

• limited impact on public amenities

• diversification of New Zealand's energy portfolion

• Close to grid infrastructure - substation or powerlines.

• 15ha+ of land available.

• Flat and clear of vegetation (within reason).

• Good access.

• Absolutely, you can continue farming the land as normal until construction.

• Following construction, we actively encourage you to graze sheep in the fields and keep the land in agricultural use.

• The development process for such a project can take from 2-4 years.

• Construction will take 12-18 months.

• The project will be operational for a minimum of 35 years.

• A solar farm can be dismantled as quickly and as easily as it is constructed, with very little impat on the land.

• Once we have land secured, we will secure resource consent and approval to connect to the electrical grid network. All of this work and associated costs are completed and covered by us.

• No money is required from your side. We simply ask for some of your time to approve plans and concepts.

• Once the land is secured, we will obtain resource consent and approval to connect to the electrical grid. All of this work and associated costs are completed and covered by us. It is not subsidised by the Government.

• Yes we will look to utilise an energy storage battery where possible.

• There will be a small level of noise but all noise emissions will remain under regulation guidelines. We actively work to minimise this impact.

• Yes we will screen the project with native vegetation where needed.

• During the construction phase, there is usually an increase in the number of vehicles delivering materials to the site. There will be a traffic management plan to prevent damage and minimise disruption. Once the site is built, traffic will cease almost entirely.

• Solar panels are designed to absorb the sunlight and any light reflecting results in poor efficiency. . The panels have a non-reflective coating to reduce glare and boost their efficiency and subsequently the glare from panels is very minimal.

• The project is analysed during the resource consent phase and any potential glare identified will be mitigated against.

• Numerous airports around the world have solar farms next to them, with no glare issues for pilots. This is the same in Europe where solar panels run adjacent to motorways and freeways with no issues.

• The panels are also shielded from view using screening vegetation and maintaining setbacks. There are no visible lights on the solar farm.

• There will be ground disturbance during construction for trenching and post ramming of the mounting frame. However we will minimise this where possible.

• Solar infrastructure is relatively low impact and we work to minimise soil disturbance and the release of carbon into the atmosphere.

No, the solar panels pose no health risks. They generate electricity solely by converting sunlight into electrical energy, a process that involves no harmful emissions or byproducts.

Construction Phase

Like any construction project, there are inherent risks. We have implemented a robust health and safety plan to mitigate these during the construction phase.

Materials and Environmental Impact

While solar panels contain chemicals, these are securely encased within protective layers and will not leach into the soil or groundwater.

Safety and Environmental Considerations

Our Resource Consent application included a detailed assessment of health and safety aspects. This covered various factors, including emergency access, fire prevention, and environmental protection. Specific examples of our detailed planning include maintaining appropriate grass length and implementing non-combustible fire breaks.

End-of-Life and Site Restoration

We are committed to environmental stewardship. A detailed site restoration plan will be developed closer to the end of the lease (35 years) to ensure the land is returned to or improved upon its original condition. The disposal of solar panel components will be managed responsibly in accordance with best practices at the time.

• We are leasing the land from you as the landowner. Should circumstances change and you need or want to sell the land, this is possible.

• Any buyer of the land would be buying the lease as the lease and the land are directly linked.

• The buyer would be purchasing the land and the associated rent generated from the solar farm.

• No. Only approximately 0.5% of the solar farm will be in direct contact with the ground, the entire footprint of the solar panels will only cover around one third of the site and the land underneath the panels will be permeable farmland.

• Solar farms comprise rows of solar panels, oriented to the north, positioned approximately 1 meter above the ground, with a height of up to 2.9 meters and spacing of 3-4 meters between them. This strategic arrangement ensures that each row of panels avoids casting shadows on the next row, we make sure to maintain the same level of electricity generation to avoid any reduction.

• Although they move to follow the sun, the panels are fixed at a certain angle to optimize sun exposure. To reduce any visual impact, solar farms can be shielded from view by maintaining setbacks from boundaries and implementing appropriate screen planting. These measures not only address aesthetic concerns but also contribute to the creation of new habitats and the enhancement of biodiversity.

• For the purposes of large-scale solar arrays, setback distances are still largely being developed and refined by state governments. It is essential to consider the vegetative characteristics of the land use before and after solar farm development and the need to reduce any localized temperature increases.

• Various studies have concluded that heating effects are localized with no overall day-to-day warming effect. These studies have been translated into state planning guidelines such as those published by Victoria, which outlines specific recommendations for Solar Energy Facilities Design and Development.

• The NSW Government's recently published Large-Scale Solar Energy Guideline represents the most comprehensive set of guidelines published by the Australian states. Additionally, the NREL has published research papers related to the benefits of adding low-growing vegetation under solar panel installations.

New Zealand's growing solar industry offers a bright outlook for the environment and country as a whole. While the visual impact of solar farms is a consideration, there's currently no conclusive evidence that they bring down property values. In fact, solar farms come with a number of environmental benefits:

• Peace and Quiet: Unlike traditional power plants, solar farms are silent. No noisy turbines or generators, just tranquillity for nearby residents.

• Clean Air, Clear Conscience: Solar energy produces zero emissions, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment for everyone.

• Reduced Traffic Flow: After construction, solar farms generate power without the need for constant truck deliveries, reducing noise pollution and congestion, creating a more peaceful atmosphere.

As solar power becomes more established, we can expect additional benefits:

• Less Intrusive Plants: The rise of solar farms may lead to a decrease in more visually disruptive power generation facilities like wind farms and geothermal plants. This could significantly improve the overall aesthetic appeal of the surrounding area.

While the solar industry is young, the potential for solar farms to coexist with, or even enhance, property values is promising. It's important to consider the specifics of each project, but the environmental benefits, reduced visual impact with careful planning, and the decline of more visually disruptive plants all paint a positive picture for New Zealand's sustainable future.