Balfour Mixed Farming Operation
Solar & Battery Solution for a Mixed Farming Operation, Balfour
Project Overview
Only weeks after Ernest Energy completed a solar and battery installation on a mixed farming operation near Balfour, Southland was hit by one of the region’s most significant storms in recent years. As widespread power outages left many homes and businesses without electricity for days, this farm continued operating as normal.
The family home remained fully functional, essential farm infrastructure stayed powered, and the client was even able to open their doors to neighbours, providing hot showers and cooking facilities while the surrounding community waited for power to be restored.
For Ernest Energy, this was exactly what the system had been designed to achieve.
The System
Located in Northern Southland, this diversified farming operation combines sheep, arable and specialist crop production. Like many rural businesses, reliable electricity is essential to keeping the property running efficiently. While reducing long-term energy costs was an important objective, the client’s biggest priority was improving energy security and reducing reliance on the electricity network.
Having worked with Ernest’s team previously, choosing a local company they knew and trusted made the decision straightforward. They wanted a partner who understood rural operations and could deliver a complete solution tailored to the way their farm operates.
The Solution
Ernest Energy designed and delivered a customised ground-mounted solar and battery system that now provides reliable power to the property’s key infrastructure while giving the client greater control over how and when energy is used. The system was also designed with future growth in mind, allowing additional solar generation to be added as the farm’s energy requirements evolve.
The installation was completed efficiently with minimal disruption to the farming operation. As part of the project, Ernest also upgraded sections of the property’s electrical infrastructure to further strengthen the overall network and prepare the site for the future.
The Unexpected
One of the unexpected highlights since commissioning has come from the farm’s sheep. The ground-mounted solar arrays have quickly become a favourite shelter, providing welcome shade during hot summer days while the warmth beneath the panels creates a comfortable place to gather during cooler weather. It’s a simple reminder that well-designed agricultural solar solutions can work in harmony with productive farmland.
Performance & Results
Today, the client has greater confidence in their energy future. They have more control over rising electricity costs, improved protection against unexpected outages and the reassurance that critical farm operations can continue when reliable power matters most.
Projects like this demonstrate how Ernest Energy delivers more than solar panels and batteries. We create tailored energy solutions that strengthen rural businesses, improve resilience and give farming families the confidence to focus on what they do best.
