From Pasture to Power: Gordon Solar Farm Showcases the Future of Farming and Solar Energy in New Zealand

WHAKATĀNE, New Zealand, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- An agrivoltaic project in Galatea, New Zealand, is demonstrating how agricultural land can generate renewable energy while continuing to support productive farming, offering a new approach to land use for rural communities.

The Gordon Cattle and Solar Farm, located in the Whakatāne District, combines a 4.7 MW solar installation on 8 hectares of land with a dairy farm operation of around 700 cattle heads. Featuring TCL Solar 625W TOPCon modules and Clenergy ezTrackers D1P, the project brings together solar technology, agricultural expertise and tracking infrastructure to demonstrate the potential of dual-purpose land use.

The official opening of the project will take place on Thursday, 12 November 2026, at the Gordon Dairy Farm in Galatea. The public event will bring together representatives from the agricultural and renewable energy industries, project partners and local communities, with a live panel discussion exploring the opportunities and practical considerations of integrating solar generation into working farmland.

Making More of Agricultural Land

Agrivoltaics refers to the integration of solar energy generation and agricultural activities on the same land. At the Gordon Solar Farm, solar trackers are elevated to 2.2 metres, allowing cattle to continue grazing beneath the installation. During daylight hours, the tracking system follows the sun to optimise electricity generation, while the farm retains its agricultural function.

This approach offers potential benefits beyond electricity production. By providing shade, the solar installation reduces direct sun exposure to the ground, lowering soil temperatures and moisture loss, and diminishing irrigation requirements. For livestock, shaded areas can offer relief from intense heat and contribute to improved animal comfort during warmer conditions.

The relationship can also benefit the solar installation itself. Vegetation and moisture beneath the panels may help moderate the module temperature and support energy generation.

Solar Technology Designed for Agricultural Environments

Operating solar modules in an agricultural setting presents specific technical challenges. One consideration is exposure to ammonia, a corrosive gas released through livestock waste, manure and agricultural processes. Over time, ammonia can affect susceptible materials and components within solar modules, potentially contributing to corrosion and reduced long-term performance.

This makes module durability an important consideration when selecting solar technology. The TCL Solar TOPCon modules supplied for the Gordon project have undergone ammonia corrosion resistance testing in accordance with IEC 62716, the international standard for assessing resistance to ammonia exposure.

The enhanced certification provides an additional layer of validation and reflects the importance of selecting technology suited to the specific environment of a project.

Bringing Farming and Solar Expertise Together

The Gordon Solar Farm has been delivered through collaboration between the Gordon family, TCL Solar, Clenergy, Micropico, insurance and financial partners. Each partner brings a different perspective to the project, from the practical realities of operating a working dairy farm to the engineering and technology required to integrate solar generation into an agricultural environment.

These perspectives will come together at the official opening during a live panel discussion that will explore the lessons emerging from the project and consider a broader question for the agricultural and energy sectors: how can landowners create additional value from their land while continuing to support the farming businesses and communities that depend on it?

A Model for the Future of Rural Renewable Energy

For TCL Solar, the project demonstrates the importance of reliable module technology in installations with specific operational and environmental demands.

As New Zealand continues to expand its renewable energy capacity, the Gordon Solar Farm offers a practical example of how solar energy can become part of the wider agricultural landscape, creating opportunities for farmers, energy providers and rural communities alike.

The official opening of the Gordon Cattle and Solar Farm will take place on Thursday, 12 November 2026, at 228 Grant Road, Galatea, New Zealand.

For more information, visit www.tclsolar.com

About TCL Solar

TCL Solar is one of TCL Zhonghuan's two flagship module brands, alongside SunPower for the Australian and Pacific markets.

TCL Zhonghuan (TCL Zhonghuan Renewable Energy Technology Co., Ltd.) is a BNEF Tier 1 global solar manufacturer and a technology leader across the photovoltaic value chain. Founded in 1958, the company has played a defining role in the development of the global PV industry, beginning monocrystalline silicon R&D in 1969. With full vertical integration from ingots and wafers through to modules, TCL Zhonghuan became the world's #1 silicon wafer manufacturer in 2024, achieving 19% of global production capacity share. Ongoing innovation is supported by over 4,600 solar-specific patents, alongside advanced manufacturing capabilities. The acquisition of SunPower in 2025 and DAS Solar in 2026 further strengthens TCL Zhonghuan's position in high-efficiency BC technology.

SOURCE TCL Solar