Whatawhata Dairy Farm Solar

The Project

Installing solar on a brand-new dairy shed creates opportunities that aren't available on existing buildings. With the roof, electrical infrastructure and farm layout all being developed at the same time, the solar system can be planned as part of the overall project rather than added later.

Planning Solar Into a New Build

Building a new dairy shed is the ideal time to get the electrical infrastructure right. A modern dairy operation runs on three-phase supply, with milking, milk cooling, pumping and washdown drawing steady, predictable power through the day. Designing the solar system around that energy use from the start means the array and inverter are sized and positioned to suit the shed. Because the incoming supply was located around 100 metres from the new dairy shed, a communications cable for generator protection and metering was installed alongside the underground mains during construction. Planning this early avoided unnecessary excavation later and allowed the solar system to be commissioned efficiently.

The Installation

Once the shed was built, 2E Electrical installed a 44kW three-phase Entelar solar system designed around the dairy shed's daytime energy use. The installation followed normal practices, but because the infrastructure was already in place and the shed was new, everything went in cleanly and efficiently. The result is a modern three-phase dairy operation with solar generation working alongside the shed's electrical system from day one.

• 44kW three-phase solar system designed around dairy shed energy use
• 112 LONGi Hi-MO 6 panels across eight strings
• Entelar 44kW three-phase inverter matched to the shed's supply
• Real-time, per-string monitoring
• A tidy, reliable installation on a brand-new dairy shed

Engineering Highlights

A modern three-phase dairy operation with solar planned in from the start of a new build.

Lessons from this Project

The takeaway from this project is simple.

System Performance

The headline numbers for the system, scannable rather than buried in a paragraph.

Equipment Installed

Every component is matched to the new shed's supply and the coordination required during construction.

• 49.28kW DC solar array
• 112 × LONGi Hi-MO 6 Scientist 440W solar panels
• 44kW Entelar three-phase inverter
• Roof-mounted array on the new dairy shed
• Grid-connected operation
• Real-time generation monitoring
• Communications cable for generator protection and metering
• Commercial-grade protection and isolation

Real-time monitoring is set up through the Entelar platform, with per-string voltage and current visible so any issue is flagged early. We also handle ongoing monitoring and servicing for the systems we install.

Why This Project Matters

This is our second dairy farm project, and it's a straightforward example of doing solar well on a brand-new dairy shed. Planning solar as part of the new build meant the roof, electrical infrastructure and array could work together, with the communications cable for generator protection and metering installed during the underground mains works. The result is a tidy, reliable installation that sets the farm up well for the future. If you're building a new dairy shed, the takeaway is simple: involve your solar contractor early.

Read more about Farm Solar, our commercial solar services, battery storage options, and funding and finance for commercial projects, or learn about 2E Electrical.

Why Choose 2E Electrical

We're a local Waikato electrical contractor, and working alongside builders during a new build is where we're strongest.

Services Provided

• Site assessment and load profiling
• New dairy shed solar system design
• Construction-stage coordination with builders and other trades
• Communications infrastructure planning
• Supply and install of panels, inverter and mounting
• Roof-mounted array installation
• Three-phase inverter integration
• Generator protection setup
• Commissioning and performance testing
• Real-time monitoring setup
• Handover documentation

Project Gallery