Te Herenga o Te Rā Solar Farm
Te Herenga o Te Rā
Waiotahe, Bay of Plenty
Located in the sunny Bay of Plenty, Waiotahe is home to our third and largest utility-scale solar farm, Te Herenga o Te Rā at
42MWp. The farm achieved its first generation in December 2024 with commissioning work continuing in early 2025.
When fully commissioned, the farm will generate 69 GWh annually, enough to power more than 9,600 Kiwi homes.
Te Herenga o Te Rā is situated along the border of the Waiotahe River in the Ōpōtiki District. Designed as an agrivoltaic farm, Te Herenga o Te Rā will maximise the production of electricity while preserving the agricultural and horticultural potential of the land for future farming activities.
The farm’s name, Te Herenga o Te Rā, was gifted by local hapū Te Ūpokorehe, who have worked collaboratively with Lodestone on the project. The name has a fitting translation as ‘The mooring place of the sun’.
Key facts about Te Herenga o Te Rā
Started generating in Dec 2024
Producing
69 GWh energy annually
Operating more than 71,000 panels
Capable of powering 9,600+ homes
A view of Te Herenga o Te Rā from above
Te Herenga o Te Rā under mechanical construction in 2024
A ground breaking ceremony brings together local iwi, community stakeholders and construction partners
Gary Holden and Nick Murray plant native trees alongside local community leaders as part of the site blessing
Investing in the future
To get involved in clean renewable energy