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Solar Farms
Build a solar farm to generate reliable revenue and returns
New Zealand’s electricity demand is projected to increase by 35-82% by 2050, which means the country will need to build substantial new generation capacity. Solar is now one of the lowest-cost sources of new generation and, because it can be deployed quickly and scaled easily, is expected to be a major contributor alongside wind and geothermal.
Solar farms can provide a predictable, long-term revenue stream. For landowners, they can deliver “passive” income that often exceeds traditional agricultural returns per hectare. They can also support continued productive land use through agrivoltaics, such as sheep grazing, while strengthening regional energy security.
/ The Opportunity
New Zealand needs more electricity generation
Whether seeking to develop a solar farm or lease land to a developer, there is much to know. It is important to quantify the opportunity quickly, to preserve capital for the right opportunity. Developing a solar farm can be a complex process, with multiple risks including energy off-take, geotechnical, flooding constraints and consenting risks, grid connection approvals and financial performance.
Potential return from a successful solar farm project.
/ Is your site suitable?
Selecting the right site is critical to success
The three biggest factors for solar farm viability are land suitability, resource consent planning constraints and access to sufficient grid hosting capacity. Identifying site suitability early prevents over-investment and accelerates the project's path to profitability.
How close is the nearest grid connection point?
Grid connection is the single biggest variable in solar farm viability, as export (hosting) capacity is limited across all networks. Hosting capacity is impacted by three main factors: 1) distance from the substation, 2) voltage of the distribution lines, 3) other generation assets that have priority access to the available capacity in the local area. Extended cabling or significant upgrades to the distribution network to accommodate solar export can result in substantial costs that, at many sites, are high enough, at some sites, to jeopardise the project.
Are the geology, hydrology and topography of the site suitable?
Geology impacts the type and design of the foundations. Soft peaty or sandy soils in particular can increase foundation costs, potentially compromising project viability.
Most solar array frame systems are limited by land slope. Reasonably flat land, or land with a consistent slope, is preferred.
Flooding presents a significant risk for many sites. While array design can accommodate moderate water levels and velocities, excessive flood risk may render the project unviable.
Is it cost effective or likely to get resource consent?
The various district plans around NZ result in a wide range of potential effects being considered. In some cases, obtaining consent and mitigating impacts will be challenging and expensive. Conversely, low impact sites may secure consent more quickly and with fewer cost implications.
Common impacts considered as part of a planning assessment include zoning, ecology and biodiversity, visual amenity and character, cultural and Iwi values, noise, and natural hazards, including flooding.
How valuable will the generated electricity be?
Solar resource, year to year, has proven to be very consistent and predictable. As a result, the quantity of energy generated annually (the yield) can be accurately modelled. Predicting what that energy will be worth each year is more difficult. The electricity market is dynamic, with spot prices determined half-hourly. In New Zealand, a primary driver of these prices are rainfall and the resulting hydro lake storage levels. Solar farms can be exposed to this volatility year on year, or may be able to secure a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). A PPA provides investors with long-term revenue certainty, with contract terms typically ranging from 5-20 years.
Is the site financially viable?
Ultimately, a successful solar farm should deliver a strong return, with low risk for its investors. The factors summarised above can materially impact both construction costs and ongoing operational risks. To assess the financial performance, the capital costs of the farm should be carefully quantified and weighed against the expected returns.
/ How we help
A trusted partner from idea to generating asset
Revolve with our partners in planning, geotech and grid connection offer a coordinated one-stop shop to support your project through the full project life-cycle. We can quickly and cost-effectively identify if a site is viable, and work with you through the process to the point of owning a profitable asset. We are independent specialists in our respective fields, with extensive experience.
We assess your site
We evaluate your site, highlighting any red flags for solar farm development. With our specialist partners, this includes assessing grid connection, terrain, shading, planning constraints, geotechnical conditions and competing land uses. A yield assessment lets you understand the site’s energy generation potential. You’ll get a clear view of whether the opportunity is real and worth investing in further.
We determine the feasibility
We work with you to validate the project’s technical and financial feasibility. This includes completing the studies needed to confirm technical viability and working with you to understand the financial model—capital costs, operating costs, and revenue potential. You’ll be able to move forward with confidence that the farm can be built and will perform as expected.
We design and get it consented
We turn the concept into a tender-ready design and secure the approvals needed to build. We coordinate specialist constraints assessments (e.g., ecology, landscape, archaeology, geotechnical), complete the solar farm design, and develop mitigation plans such as restoration/enhancement and landscape planting. We consult with neighbours, stakeholders, and iwi to support preparation and lodgement of the resource consent application. In parallel, we finalise the grid connection design and work through the process to secure conditional final grid approval.
We assure build quality
We help you ensure the farm is built at a competitive price and to a high standard of quality. We support the tender process to appoint an experienced and skilled EPC contractor. During construction, we provide quality and consent-compliance oversight and support testing and certification.
We monitor and ensure performance
We help protect performance and revenue over the long term. We set up ongoing performance monitoring and reporting, using drone thermographic imaging to quickly identify product and installation faults. We also administer the O&M contract (including performance guarantees) and put preventative and reactive maintenance agreements in place to keep the plant running reliably.
/ FAQ
Questions about solar farms?
How do I know if a site has a suitable grid connection?
Most smaller solar farms connect to the 11kV or 33kV distribution network. Some line companies publish hosting capacity maps that indicate the export capacity available in a given area. For certainty, you’ll need to apply to the relevant lines company, which will confirm available capacity based on local constraints and other planned projects, and outline the connection requirements and any studies needed. The cost of building a long connection from the site to the network can materially impact viability. Revolve and our partners can help assess a sites grid connection.
What's the minimum land area needed?
For utility-scale solar, you typically need 1.2–2 ha per MWp of DC capacity. The exact area depends on array layout optimisation, whether the system is fixed-tilt or tracking, environmental buffers, topography, access roads, and any agrivoltaic spacing.
How much can I earn from a solar farm?
A solar farm can generate 1.3–1.8 GWh per MWac per year (depending on the site and technology). New Zealand’s wholesale electricity market settles every 30 minutes, so the value of generation can vary throughout the day and across seasons. A solar farm can either sell into the spot market or lock in future prices by entering a power purchase agreement (PPA). The PPA sets an agreed price for the term of the contract, often 5-15 years.
Can the land still be used for farming operations?
It depends on the site design. Agrivoltaics, running sheep grazing under elevated panels, is increasingly common in New Zealand and allows dual use of the same land. Standard ground-mount systems occupy the land more fully but can coexist with farming on adjacent paddocks. The impact on the land and existing operations should be assessed and documented before the project proceeds.
What's the difference between Revolve and an EPC?
Revolve is a specialist advisor and designer; we do not supply hardware or construct solar farms. An Engineering Procurement and Construction contractor (EPC), is engaged to deliver the solar farm, generally after the farm has consent and funding. Revolve offers independent advice and support throughout the life of a project, to ensure the best outcome for the investor and owner of the solar farm.
