Feasibility study for solar power plant New Zealand

Can MBIE forecast utility-scale solar energy generation in New Zealand?

For this study MBIE specifically requested a forecast of utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar electricity generation in New Zealand to 2060. The starting point to develop a utility-scale PV solar generation forecast is to forecast utility-scale PV solar capacity, then convert that to energy.

Why is New Zealand getting more wind & solar power?

1.1 New Zealand is experiencing an increasing penetration of wind and solar generation due to the economic viability of these sources. Moreover, such an increase is aligned with the government’s aspiration of 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.

Do solar power sites show a positive correlation across New Zealand?

In other words, solar power sites show a positive correlation across the country. This is somewhat expected since New Zealand is relatively ‘narrow’ in terms of longitude, thus the country will exhibit similar day and night patterns (in terms of solar time).

Can a 300 MW solar farm be built in New Zealand?

During the research, Genesis Energy announced they were in discussions with a developer to develop a 300 MW solar farm in the Waikato (Energy News, 2020). However, no utility-scale solar systems have been built and are operational in New Zealand.

Is there any variation in renewable output in New Zealand?

The remaining variation in renewable output is the scale of the firming required. It is worth noting that this study should not be interpreted as a feasibility study. Rather, it serves as an indication of the behaviour of solar and wind generation throughout New Zealand based on weather data available to the Authority.

How do I choose a utility-scale solar site in New Zealand?

Solar resource also varies widely throughout New Zealand and there are many potential sites for utility-scale solar across the entirety of New Zealand. Selecting and ranking suitable utility-scale solar sites would require matching the LCOE with prevailing locational electricity prices.