21/04/2026
๐ฆ๐ต๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐๐ผ๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ?
๐ ๐๐ช๐ด๐ค๐ถ๐ด๐ด๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐ด ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ฐ๐ญ๐ข๐ณ ๐๐ฏ๐ท๐ฆ๐ด๐ต๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต ๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ฎ.
With high fuel prices and global uncertainty, alternative energy is in the spotlight. If you are considering solar installations, returns on investment can range from 15% to less than 2%. The question you need to ask is, will investing in a solar installation make economic sense?
Many factors affect how economic a solar array will be if you install it on your farm. Letโs look at some of the factors you need to consider.
1) Existing Infrastructure: Can I utilize existing infrastructure โ transformers and lines, for example an existing irrigation pump, or shed supply.
2) Sufficient Scale: Cost per panel installed decreases with the number of panels installed. Small house systems with around 10 panels cost more per panel than irrigation pumps with 200 panels installed.
3) Maximum Production: Panels mounted on the roof of a house are often at the wrong orientation and tilt, resulting in reduced solar production. Ground mounted arrays can have orientation and tilt optimized for maximum production. Orientation and tilt have major effects on solar output and hence the economics of the system.
4) Energy Production and Consumption alignment: If you export energy to the grid when your panels are generating and later buy it back, you pay your electricity provider for both transactions. The more energy you can use โbehindโ the meter the greater the returns. Houses need the energy early in the morning and at night in the winter when the array is not producing energy. For irrigation usage, demand better matches production. The hotter and dryer it is the more energy used and produced.
5) Driving around the country I often see solar arrays mounted on single row supports. These systems are normally only suitable for medium to low wind speed areas. The cheapest quote is not necessarily the best long-term investment.
The installation of solar systems on-farm can be economically profitable. For example, on an irrigator, driving a pump, powering a cowshed, or general farm use. Returns on capital can exceed 15% return on investment (ROI).
The caveat: All of the above factors need to be addressed and optimized. A solar installation is a 30+ year investment. Getting it right is the difference between a very profitable investment and a long-term liability.
If you would like to discuss with me further, please give me a call. We have been in the solar industry for over 15 years and utilize data from multiple sources to maximise your solar production. A win for you, and a win for climate change and New Zealand.
Alastair Frizzell
Managing Director.
Frizzell Agricultural Electronics Ltd.
03 318 1333
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