Solayer

25/02/2026

148kWp installed with a 110kW inverter powering a pump that feeds a fixed grid irrigation set up.

Tony is stoked with his install, and this system is designed to get up to maximal production quickly and stay there all day long!

With 6 months worth of data now we can tell you that this beauty can crack 1MW of production in a day with the right conditions.

Keep an eye out for our next update on Tony’s system as we share see some pretty innovative maintenance and efficiency gains! 👀

Thanks for being such great partners Tony and the team at Closeburn Station!

Solayer - Giving Rural NZ back the Power

03/02/2026

A beautiful snap of one of our 2025 installs on a stunning new build NZSIP house down in the mighty Riverton!

We work with rural people to design and install rural energy solutions that range in size from a small home to a farm scale solar project.

If you’re interested in a solar project, no matter the size and want a local, committed team who understands rural life and its joys and challenges - reach out to the Solayer team today

Thanks for the lovely snap Jodie, this install is a single row of large clean silver framed 620W panels partnered with a battery ready Sigenergy inverter system. We design systems that fit your needs and design dreams.

📸:

20/10/2025

The newest member to the Electric Farmer community, Glen Perkins, had a good day on Friday! He got a solar panel cake AND a new solar array on his woolshed for his birthday!

Thanks to the incredible for the solar panel cake - it was delicious!

Birthday gifts don’t get better than cheaper power prices…and cake!

⚡️🌱🍰

25/09/2025

Maniototo farmer Becks Smith spoke about the benefits of installing solar energy systems at an event exploring the future of farming. Shawn...

15/09/2025

Solar on Farms Co-Funding!

The government wants to contribute some money to support solar on farms and I’m reaching out to everyone in my network to let them know.

It’s a super busy time on farm at the moment with calving, lambing, shearing, irrigation season starting, some still feeding out (pick me!) So if you know a farmer or grower who could benefit from this opportunity who may not have the time to be scrolling at the moment, please pass it on.

EECA has just announced up to $200,000 in co-funding per farm for solar + battery projects - but funding is capped at 40 farms nationwide (4 per sector)

The sectors included are:
- Dairy farming
- Sheep & beef
- Arable (grains & crops)
- Horticulture (fruit & vegetables)
- Pig farming
- Poultry farming
- Plant nursery / floriculture
- Wine/viticulture
- Other livestock (deer, horses, etc.)
- Combinations of the above

Applications open 18 September 2025.

How the funding works:
🔋 Up to 40% of inverter + battery costs (capped at $450/kWh, max $100,000)
☀️ Up to 20% of solar array costs (capped at $410/kWp, max $100,000)
💰 Total per farm: max $200,000 (excl. GST)
📈 EECA has committed $4M across this national demonstration group

Who is eligible:
✅ NZ-based farmers/growers paying a levy (or commercial poultry growers)
✅ Solar + battery (30–500kWp) installed before June 2026
✅ Happy to share energy data + learnings with EECA
✅ Must meet compliance + H&S requirements

It’s an incredibly busy season with calving and lambing in full swing, so it would be easy to miss, solar onto farms is already an amazing financial opportunity, only made better by some EECA co-funding!

Myself and the team at SOLAYER are helping farmers prepare proposals and applications, and we’re offering this support for free. So if you know someone who could is interested in getting solar onto their farm and they fit into any of the above categories, please message me directly email: [email protected] or tag them below 👇

04/09/2025

EECA has announced its upcoming Solar on farms Demonstration Fund.

They’re looking for farmers from a wide range of sectors who want to show what’s possible in this space and they’re willing to fund up to 40% for inverters and batteries and 20% for other solar components(panels) up to the value of $200,000.

This coupled with some pretty sharp financing and the government investment boost is selling a compelling case for solar energy generation on your farm.

Some other eligibility criteria apply with this fund but it opens on 18th September and we will be supporting all of our eligible customers with their application.

Want to know more? Reach out!

04/07/2025

Signs Up.

Another site ready for independent third party inspection.

That’s a wrap for the week ⚡️

24/06/2025

📣 Big Win for On-Farm Solar! ☀️

Budget 2025 brings a powerful boost to farm innovation - and solar is on the list!

From 22 May 2025, farmers investing in new solar energy systems can claim a 20% Investment Boost tax deduction in Year 1, before normal depreciation even kicks in!

What does this mean for you?

If you install a new solar array:
➡️ You deduct 20% of the purchase cost upfront (Investment Boost)
➡️ Then, you apply standard depreciation (e.g. 16% DV) to the remaining 80%

Example:
Installed Solar system is worth $100,000
Year 1 deduction:
$20,000 (Investment Boost)
$12,800 (16% DV on remaining $80,000)
Total Year 1 deduction on taxable income: $32,800

That’s over 30% of the system’s cost deducted in the first year(boosting cash flow and shortening the payback period).

And you’re powering your farm more sustainably at the same time.

Applies to:
✔️ New assets (or new to NZ)
✔️ First used on or after 22 May 2025

Whether you’re cutting costs, reducing emissions, or building energy resilience - now’s a smart time to go solar.

DM us if you want help understanding how this applies to your setup.

18/06/2025

Check it out! Today we hit the 👀

Incredibly proud of where we’re come from, the team we’ve built, the way we do business - farmer first, always.

Thanks for always telling the best story and representing us so well 🙏🏼

https://www.odt.co.nz/business/helping-farmers-improve-energy-use

10/06/2025

Woohoooo! A win for NZ Farmers!

Want to take advantage of this opportunity?

We’re here to help ⚡️⚡️

Good news for farmers! 🧑‍🌾

02/01/2025

🌱 Empower Your Farm with Local Expertise & Sustainable Energy Solutions! 🌞

Calling all Central Otago farmers! 🐑🚜

At Solayer, we’re proud to be farmer-owned and operated, bringing a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities on the land. Our local team works with trusted partners and local contractors to design energy solutions tailored just for you.

Whether it’s integrating solar power with irrigation or creating self-sustaining energy systems for your farm, we’re here to help you:
✅ Reduce costs 🤑
✅ Boost productivity 💪
✅ Build resilience 🌍

Why choose Solayer?
✔️ We focus 100% on farming—it’s in our roots!
✔️ We’re local, approachable, and ready to listen.
✔️ Every project strengthens not just your farm but also our Central Otago community.

It’s time to power your farm sustainably—with a team that truly gets you. 🌄💚

📞 Ready to chat? Visit solayer.co.nz or DM us today!