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NZ's biggest commercial solar energy installation switched on

Mango Communications

New Zealand’s biggest ever commercial solar energy installation on the Tarewa Mega Centre in Whangarei has been switched on.

The owners of the Tarewa Mega Centre, Udy Group, see the installation as a long-term investment in an area which experiences higher energy costs per kWh than other parts of the country. "For us, this is more than just saving money, it is about us reducing our impact on the planet. We are aware of the need to create a sustainable business, for the company and also our tenants, with the first step being power generation," says Dan Udy, a director of Udy Group.

Tarewa’s air-conditioning system and common areas currently use 326,542 kWh per year. Power generated by the 240kW grid-connected solar electricity system will offset 80-90 percent of the air-conditioners’ operating costs, massively reducing Tarewa Mega Centre’s carbon footprint and locking in energy savings for at least the next 25 years.

The Tarewa Mega Centre is home to leading retail brands including 100% Electrical, Spotlight, Number One Shoes, Bed Bath & Beyond, Pumpkin Patch, Lighting Direct, Reduced to Clear, Supercheap Auto, The Cheesecake Shop and The Baby Factory. Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai says she is delighted Whangarei is now home to the country’s biggest commercial solar energy installation.

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"It is exciting to know Whangarei is leading the way when it comes to commercial solar electricity installations," Mayor Mai says.

"This solar PV system will deliver long-term benefit for the Centre’s retailers and set a great example for other retailers in Whangarei and around the country." Udy Group partnered with solar photovoltaic installation company PowerSmart Solar, who are responsible for the installation of New Zealand’s two current largest systems, the 99kW system at Yealands Estate winery in Blenheim and the 100kW system at Palmerston North City Council. PowerSmart is also currently working on a project installing 10 large off grid systems in the Northern Cook Islands and Tuvalu, which will supply 95% of these islands energy needs.

Rogier Simons, GM of PowerSmart, says it’s great to see more companies taking control of their rising electricity bills by investing in a solar electricity system. "The 240kW Tarewa Mega Centre installation demonstrates how feasible it is for a business to generate its own clean electricity. This system makes enough power to run approximately 40+ homes and this scale of installation is a real positive step forward for the solar electricity sector in NZ."

Udy Group is looking to do similar solar energy installations with PowerSmart in the future.