SAVE ENERGY
ON-FARM
IT JUST MAKES SENSE
Save Energy On-Farm Project Overview
Why get involved?
Everyone’s got their own reasons for getting involved, and that’s a good thing.
For some, it’s about saving money or making the farm more resilient. For others, it’s about looking after the environment, futureproofing the business, or staying ahead of new rules and regulations. Some people are driven by doing their bit for climate change, or by wanting to feel good about making a positive difference.
Whatever the reason, it all adds up to stronger farms, stronger communities, and a stronger future for Taranaki.
About the project
After carrying out 20 free farm energy assessments in its initial phase, the project is now developing a practical new guide to help farmers make smart decisions about investing in solar power.
For many farms, solar PV just makes sense, but everyone starts from a different place and has different questions. Some farmers simply want to get panels up and running. Others want to plan ahead and understand what changes they could make now (or in the long term) to get the best value from solar in future.
Our Solar PV Guide highlights the key questions to ask and why they matter, while a simple decision tree helps you figure out what’s right for your farm.
This builds on the earlier phase of the project, which delivered the At a Glance energy efficiency guides, the Advisor Toolkit for on-farm walkarounds, and a series of workshops with farmers and industry to explore energy savings and what really drives change.
We believe this next phase will make a real difference. It’s about inspiring action, understanding what motivates farmers, and supporting practical on-farm energy improvements that last.
If you’re interested in solar – and want to be a pilot user of the guide with access to our expert advisors, flick an email to saveenergyonfarm@taranakicc.nz.
Thank you to our collaborators
We’re also working closely with EECA, Powerco and Todd Energy and appreciate their support. Throughout the project we are engaging with key stakeholders.
Our timeline
October 2023: Project launched and network of champions established
October 2023 – mid 2024: On-farm assessments completed
2024 – 2025: Toolkit, products, services and guidelines created; workshops held and farm advisors trained
August – December 2025: Engaging farmers on solar decisions and developing new tools
