Integrating solar electricity generation with livestock farming in Canterbury

Aotearoa New Zealand has committed to actions to mitigate climate change. By 2050 the intention is to be transitioned to a net zero carbon economy. This means that emissions will be reduced as close to zero as possible, while investing in off-setting for the remaining emissions. The transition will require the uptake of more renewable energy technologies, such as utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The latter presents an opportunity for us, the farming community, to be a key enabler.

We can use our land resources more effectively by continuing with our normal farming operations while generating renewable energy at scale. This dual land-use approach means we play our part to transition to a net zero carbon economy, but we also benefit by improving our resiliency – by being more self-reliant in terms of energy, and realising additional revenue streams. To this end, this booklet focuses on agrivoltaics for livestock farming, specifically in the Canterbury region.