Q: Why build solar generation?
A: Aotearoa currently has a deficit of electricity generation and solar energy is part of the solution as there is a high amount of sunshine energy per year. With a lot of hydro storage capacity, solar generation allows water to be saved in the dams, which will help address nationwide electricity supply shortages as were experienced in 2024.
Renewable solar energy will limit reliance on fossil fuels and relieve pressure on the environment. Also, solar generation is currently the cheapest and quickest form of generation to build in New Zealand.
Q: What are the benefits of a solar farm for Marlborough?
A: Marlborough is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s sunniest provinces (around 2500 hours/annum) and Rānui Solar Farm has the potential to meet up to 16% of the province’s maximum power demand.
Solar generation adds another form of clean, renewable energy and will mean that Marlborough is less reliant on the national grid supply, thus improving the province’s security of electricity supply.
Q: Is this a New Zealand company, or will all profits go offshore?
A: Not only is Rānui Solar Ltd a NZ company, but it’s also part of a Marlborough company (Flight Group) which has contributed to the local economy for decades. Check out Our Story. Where possible, local expertise and labour has, and will, be used.
Q: Will power prices go down in Blenheim?
A: That’s not up to Rānui as pricing is largely set by government-owned retailers. However, when there is plenty of solar and wind generation wholesale electricity prices drop and this can eventually lead to lower prices for electricity customers.
Q: What’s the current price of wholesale electricity?
A: The price of wholesale electricity is determined by the wholesale market. For more information on the wholesale pricing and electricity market see here.
Q: Will the solar farm cause reflection/glare to drivers on SH1?
A: The panels are designed to absorb the sun, not reflect it. Plus, there will be tree plantings between the farm and SH1.
Q: Why not put solar panels on the roofs of large buildings?
A: Both solar farms and putting solar panels on buildings are appropriate and happening. But solar panels can’t be added to every building as the electricity network was not designed, or built, to accept generation. Rānui will feed directly into a 33 kV Marlborough Lines’ distribution line – an option not available to individual buildings.
Q: How safe and resilient are solar farms?
A: Most solar panels are made of silicon, which is the main component in natural beach sand and is abundantly available. The panels have a useful lifespan of 25-30 years, and, as they are largely made of glass, they are recyclable.
Contrary to misinformation about harmful chemicals, the materials used to make solar panels are sealed and contained so they do not negatively affect the surrounding area.
Rānui has been designed and built to cope with Marlborough’s weather, with the province’s main issue being strong winds.
Q: Will a solar farm use up arable land?
A: The land at Rānui will be returned to grazing sheep and once again become agricultural. This provides the best of both worlds and is called agrivoltaics.
The panels will provide shade and shelter for the sheep and extend the growing season of grass into the summer. Pastoral production has seen the greatest benefits globally because animals are better protected from the elements, need less water and can access pasture in dry conditions.
There are around 28,000 ha of vineyards in Marlborough, and currently an oversupply of grapes. Rānui Solar Farm replaces a small 14-hectare block of vineyard.