Trinasolar, a global PV powerhouse, is redefining land use in the Asia-Pacific region by blending solar energy production with agriculture.
With numerous projects across Japan and New Zealand, the company is pioneering agrivoltaics, creating a harmonious synergy between renewable energy and farming practices.
Kyoto Project: Cultivates solar synergy
Trinasolar recently marked a significant milestone in Japan with the successful implementation of an agrivoltaics project in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto Prefecture.
By integrating solar energy production with agriculture, Trinasolar’s International System Business Unit (ISBU) is setting a precedent for sustainable land use in the region.
This project employs 3392 of Trinasolar’s cutting-edge Vertex N 720W series modules, with 210mm wafer technology and high-efficiency n-type i-TOPCon cells.
This advanced system achieves a maximum efficiency of 23.2 per cent, generating approximately 2700 megawatts-hour (MWh) of clean energy annually.
This level of output translates to a significant environmental impact, reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 1760 tons per year.
A key feature of this project is its focus on Japanese yam cultivation.
By mounting the modules at a height of 2.35m, Trinasolar has created an optimal environment for agricultural activities.
The shade provided by the solar panels not only protects the yams, which thrive in low light conditions, but also conserves soil moisture, benefiting crop growth.
With the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) projecting that a quarter of the country’s solar power will come from agricultural land, Trinasolar’s Kyoto project serves as a practical demonstration of renewable energy harmonising with agricultural practices.
Kohirā Solar Farm: Trinasolar’s integrated approach
In March 2024, Trinasolar celebrated the completion of New Zealand’s largest solar farm, the Kohirā project, located in Kaitāia.
Developed in partnership with Lodestone Energy, this venture marks Trinasolar’s first project in the Oceania region to integrate both its solar modules and TrinaTracker smart tracking systems.
Spanning 64 hectares, the farm features 61,000 Vertex 550W bifacial dual-glass panels mounted on TrinaTracker Vanguard 2P systems, achieving a total DC capacity of 33 megawatts (MW).
This design maximises energy production, yielding an estimated 55 gigawatts-hour (GWh) annually and powering over 7770 households.
The integration of smart tracking technology, with its algorithm-driven optimisation of panel angles, plays a crucial role in enhancing energy output.
This technology is particularly significant in New Zealand, where agricultural land is a vital yet limited resource.
The Kohirā solar farm also incorporates agrivoltaic principles, allowing for farming activities beneath the elevated modules.
This dual-use of land ensures that solar energy production coexists with agriculture, a vital industry in New Zealand.
Trinasolar’s role as a single-source provider streamlined the project’s execution, simplifying procurement, logistics, and after-sales service.
This comprehensive approach not only reduced costs but also ensured rapid deployment, overcoming site-specific challenges like cohesionless soil.
Rangitaiki Solar Farm: pioneering agrivoltaics
Building on the success of the Kohirā project, Trinasolar and Lodestone Energy completed the Rangitaiki Solar Farm in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
This project is another landmark in the country’s renewable energy journey, utilising nearly 60,000 bifacial Vertex modules mounted on TrinaTracker’s Vanguard 2P systems.
By supporting sheep grazing beneath the solar panels, the farm embodies the agrivoltaic model, offering a sustainable solution that benefits both the energy and agriculture sectors.
With a capacity of 32 MW, the Rangitaiki farm generates enough electricity to power 7500 homes.
The innovative use of 2P trackers facilitates free movement of livestock, promoting continuous grass growth even during dry conditions.
Trinasolar’s integrated supplier model once again proved to be a game-changer, allowing for rapid responses to technical queries and a streamlined installation process.
The Rangitaiki project also explores agricultural initiatives beyond traditional grazing.
Lodestone Energy is trialling crop cultivation, such as strawberries, between the rows of solar modules.
This approach not only maximises land use but also enhances the efficiency of bifacial solar modules by reflecting sunlight.
Through these projects in Japan and New Zealand, Trinasolar continues to demonstrate its capacity to deliver total solutions for renewable energy, driving the synergy between solar power and agriculture while advancing the Asia-Pacific region’s sustainability goals.
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