Dairy Farms to Benefit from New Solar Energy Support Program

DairyNZ is working in collaboration with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to assist dairy farmers in New Zealand in integrating solar energy and battery systems into their operations. This initiative is a part of the government’s Solar on Farms program, which recently announced 32 demonstration farms, including six dedicated to dairy.

These farms will be partially funded for the installation of inverters, batteries, and solar arrays. The data collected from these farms will be shared with other farmers to encourage wider adoption. On-farm demonstrations will also be conducted to showcase the benefits of this technology.

According to DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker, the rising costs of energy and the decreasing prices of solar technology make this a timely opportunity for farmers to consider renewable energy sources. Parker stated, "Renewable energy is not just good for the environment; it makes financial sense as well."

Two Southland dairy farmers, Michael Farmer and Chris Stewart, who are not part of the initiative but have already implemented solar systems, exemplify the program’s potential benefits. They have installed a solar array and a 100kWh battery system at Fairbank Farm, which allowed them to continue operations during a major power outage in October 2025.

Chris Stewart expressed surprise that more dairy farmers have not adopted similar systems, saying, "There's no better time than now to put in a system." This sentiment highlights the growing recognition of renewable energy as a resilient option for the dairy sector.

The initiative aims to provide farmers with the necessary information to make informed decisions about adopting solar technology, emphasizing both environmental and economic advantages.