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Earlier this week we hosted 10 University of Auckland engineering students through Engineering New Zealand (to be tagged) at our Waiuku Solar Farm for a look at utility-scale solar in practice.
Led by one of our Senior Electrical Engineers, Nick Carson, the visit gave the students a chance to see how a solar farm comes together beyond the drawings and models - from electrical infrastructure and site layout through to construction, operations and the realities of working on an active renewable energy project.
For us, it was also a valuable opportunity to speak with the next generation of engineers about the range of technical careers involved in delivering New Zealand’s energy transition.
Thanks to the students for coming along, asking plenty of questions and taking an interest in the work happening across our projects.
The best place to find a problem? Before it leaves the factory.
Our managing directors, Sean and Matt, were recently at Sungrow’s factory in Hefei, China, completing Factory Acceptance Testing on the MV stations for Reefton Solar Farm.
They inspected the equipment, worked through testing with the Sungrow team and checked everything was ready before shipment to New Zealand.
It’s not the most visible part of project delivery. But it matters. Catching issues early means fewer surprises on site and a smoother build at Reefton.
The factory golf simulator also passed its test. ⛳
Reefton has a long connection with electricity. Lightyears is building on that history with the start of construction on the 13.5 MW Reefton Solar Farm, its first project on the West Coast.
The project was marked with an onsite ceremony alongside JA Solar, which is supplying nearly 21,000 solar modules. Reefton is the third Lightyears project delivered with JA Solar, following projects at Carterton and Waimakariri.
Spanning 20 hectares, Reefton is Lightyears’ largest solar farm to date. It is designed to strengthen local energy resilience and support the West Coast’s industry and communities with more renewable generation.
Meridian Energy will purchase the solar farm’s output under a power purchase agreement. Construction also brings local work and supports Lightyears’ continued investment in community-scale solar across the region.
Reefton is pushing ahead through the depths of a West Coast winter.
Despite cold and wet site conditions, construction is progressing strongly, with more module rows completed each week and multiple workstreams moving in parallel.
A great effort from our construction partner, New Energy, onsite keeping momentum high and bringing the scale of the solar farm to life.
Known as “The Town of Light”, Reefton was the first town in New Zealand to have a public electricity supply. More than 135 years later, it feels fitting to see the town continuing its connection with energy as Reefton Solar Farm steadily moves from construction site to renewable energy asset.
A lovely sign of new life at our Carterton solar farm this week — baby birds have hatched from nests among the solar arrays, and a lamb was born on site. 🐣🐑
These moments reflect how renewable energy can form part of a living, working landscape. Alongside generating clean electricity, the site continues to support farming activity and provide space for local wildlife.
Our aim is to develop solar farms that contribute to New Zealand’s energy transition while respecting the land, animals and communities around them.
The MainPower Thongcaster Solar Farm is nearing completion in Eyrewell Forest.
At 7.28 MW, Thongcaster is a useful marker for Lightyears: a project moving through the final stages of delivery, and another proof point for the systems and partnerships behind our wider pipeline.
Distributed generation only becomes valuable when it is actually built, connected and ready to serve local demand. We know that disciplined delivery matters.
As Thongcaster nears completion, we’re continuing to look for project partners who want to bring more high-quality renewable generation to life across New Zealand.
Lightyears Energy has appointed experienced energy-sector leader Fraser Jonker to its board, strengthening governance and leadership as the company expands renewable-energy development across New Zealand.
Fraser brings energy-sector experience, industry knowledge and relationships that will support Lightyears’ next phase of growth. He served as CEO of Pioneer Energy for 14 years, helping grow the business from a regional Central Otago company into a national energy provider.
His governance experience spans energy, health, agriculture, wood processing, investment and development. Before moving to New Zealand, Fraser worked for more than 30 years as an energy consultant in South Africa.
Lightyears Energy is continuing to expand its solar portfolio and invest in renewable infrastructure. Fraser’s appointment adds strategic guidance as the company grows.
Lightyears has completed the sale of its fully consented 30 MWp solar project near Cambridge to NewPower Energy. NewPower’s sister company, Infratec, will build the solar farm.
The project will include more than 45,000 solar panels that track the sun during the day. The site is designed to support livestock grazing alongside the solar infrastructure and is estimated to be fully commissioned by early 2027.
Lightyears developed the project to shovel-ready status before the sale. The completed solar farm is intended to support the surrounding community with more renewable electricity for homes and businesses.
SEANZ Awards · 2025
Utility Scale Solar Trailblazer
Winner
Best Medium Business
Joint winner
Lightyears was recognised at the 2025 SEANZ Awards through the two featured awards above.
