Ernest Energy

30/03/2026

Electrification on farm is accelerating, but farmers are rightly asking questions.

At Southern Field Days in Waimumu, our team spoke with dozens of farmers about solar, battery storage, and energy resilience. One thing was clear: rising power prices are driving serious interest in solar, but resilience is just as important.

Once solar is installed, the capital cost is fixed and so is the cost of generating that power over the life of the system. In a world of rising electricity prices, that certainty matters.

Following recent wind events across Southland and Otago that left farms without power, conversations have shifted from “Should we?” to “How do we protect ourselves?” Generators are selling out across the country, giving a clear signal that resilience is now front of mind.

At Ernest, we believe solar + battery storage offers a smarter long term solution for energy independence without noise or fuel logistics. And it provides farms with a system that’s prepared for electrification, from bikes and utes, to pumps and irrigation.

25/03/2026

Tim is our Renewable Energy Consultant here at Ernest Energy, working alongside farms and businesses to design smart solar and battery solutions that truly fit their needs.

17/03/2026

When milking starts early and cooling runs hard, reliable power isn’t optional, and Ernest Energy systems are designed to protect exactly that.

By running your shed, milk cooling, and irrigation on solar power, you can significantly cut grid use, lower power bills, and reduce exposure to rising electricity costs, saving thousands each year. With integrated battery storage, Ernest gives you true resilience. Store energy during the day and keep milking through outages, avoiding dumped milk, production losses, and costly disruptions.

Take a look at our website to learn more about our industry-specific solar and battery solutions for dairy farms.

https://ernestenergy.co.nz/agri-dairy-farms/

09/03/2026

Sunshine doing double duty.

Clean energy above, sheltered stock below. Solar panels that generate power while doubling as an ideal source of shade and protection for your flock.

05/03/2026

What happens to your excess power?

Without battery storage, surplus solar energy can be sold back to the grid. But with the right system in place, that excess can become a serious advantage.

Our latest blog explores why battery storage matters, how it helps you avoid peak charges, strengthen resilience, and take full control of your energy.

Read more here.

But how much of that power are you actually using? Because producing solar energy and using solar energy are two very different things.

24/02/2026

At Ernest Energy, we believe energy should work around your operation, not the other way around.

That’s why we design smart solar and battery storage systems that help New Zealand farms and businesses cut costs, stay resilient through outages, and prepare for an increasingly electric future.

From first site visit to long-term performance, our systems are built for NZ conditions and tailored to how you actually use power.

Want to know more? Check out our website
https://ernestenergy.co.nz/

20/02/2026

The future of farming is electric.

Take a look at this article featuring our very own Tim Campbell and Andy Gainsfield, which highlights the growing momentum behind fully electric farms. As energy costs rise and electrification accelerates, forward thinking farmers are looking at smarter ways to generate and manage their own power.

Solar and battery storage play a key role in making electrification practical, reliable, and cost effective.

Read the full article here

Solar energy, bikes, utes – how close are we to viable, fully electric ag?

18/02/2026

When the sun shines hardest, your pumps are working strongest, and Ernest Energy systems are designed to take full advantage of that.

By running pivots and pumps on solar, you can dramatically cut grid use, shave peak charges, and reduce reliance on diesel, saving tens of thousands each season.

With large-scale solar battery storage, Ernest gives you round-the-clock resilience. Store energy during the day and irrigate before dawn, after dark, or on cloudy days, without the cost power spikes.

Take a look at our website to learn more about our industry specific solutions for high irrigation users.

https://ernestenergy.co.nz/high-irrigation-users/

11/02/2026

After a great first day, we’re back on the ground at the Waimumu Southern Field days! Find us at site A128 in the Agricentre.

If you’re here, come and stop for a chat with the Ernest Energy team. We’d love to talk solar, battery storage, and smarter energy for your operation.

08/02/2026

We’re proud to share that Ernest Energy has secured a 1 megawatt solar installation in the Waitaki Valley. A major milestone as we continue delivering large-scale, future-ready renewable energy solutions for New Zealand.

This project highlights the growing demand for smart solar systems that reduce costs, strengthen resilience, and support long-term energy independence across the rural and commercial sectors.

More to come as this project gets underway. Watch this space.

02/02/2026

Heading along to the Waimumu Southern Field days? So are we!

Ernest Energy will be there from the 11th to the 13th Feb to showcase our smart solar and battery storage solutions built for New Zealand farms and businesses.

Find us at Site A128 in the Agricentre.

Come and chat with the team about cutting energy costs, building resilience for outages, and preparing your operation for the future of energy.