The sun shone appropriately from a clear blue sky as people gathered to mark a significant milestone at Lauriston.
The milestone was completion of the first row of panels, called ‘‘the golden row’’, at what will be New Zealand’s largest solar farm.
Representatives from project leader Genesis and the power company’s project joint partner FRV Australia were at the gathering, on August 14, alongside those from the district council, including mayor Neil Brown, and construction company Beon.
Genesis and FRV afterwards visited Lauriston School, to celebrate the signing of a $100,000 sponsorship agreement.
Genesis chief executive Malcolm Johns said it was rewarding to see completion of the golden row, comprising 450 panels. The 93ha site will ultimately hold about 90,000 panels.
‘‘Lauriston is the first stage of our joint venture commitment with FRV Australia to build 500 MW of solar capacity throughout New Zealand,’’ Johns said.
Solar energy had a big role to play as the country aimed to become carbon neutral.
The project will spark into operation in December, generating up to 100 MWh of electricity per year, enough to power almost 13,000 households.
FRV chief executive Carlo Frigerio said the completion was ‘‘a great milestone’’.
“ This is a significant step forward on our journey to contribute to New Zealand’s renewable energy goals.”
The school visit was to celebrate the signing of a Genesis and FRV $100,000 sponsorship agreement over the next five years. Part of the funds will go toward resources and professional development for STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, underpinned by ma ¯tauranga Ma ¯ori).
The school held a powhiri and tree-planting.
School Support executive committee member Sus Palmer said the solar farm project was an exciting one for the community.
‘‘It’s massive. The partnership the school has created with them is really significant for future generations.’’
Board of trustees chair Craig Wiggins welcomed the sponsorship agreement.
“This funding will help us achieve our aim in helping students become ready for success as confident, capable and connected members of our community,” Wiggins said.
Meanwhile, Pete Armstrong at EA Networks praised ACL and the local community as traffic management has been required while underground electricity cables were installed from the solar farm.
“This is a major project for us and our community, and we’re proud to be involved,’’ Armstrong said.
