Solar power generation is the new “gold rush” and the perfect place for young New Zealanders to get their start in civil construction.
That’s according to Canterbury’s Platinum Energy and its build partner TPM Civil, which are gaining a growing reputation for construction of solar farms and commercial solar projects across the South Island.
“Solar farms are popping up everywhere so it’s fair to say it’s a bit of a gold rush at the moment,” says TPM Civil Project Manager Zach Knutson.
“They aren’t usually in big cities, so that means plenty of jobs in the regions. Around 60% of the resource we need on a solar farm is doing tasks like bolting panels onto racks, helping piling crews and carrying materials, so it is a great way for a school leaver get a feel for the career path they want to take in the civil construction industry.”
While solar farms might seem simple – little more than a sea of jet-black panels – there’s a lot of work required behind the scenes before electricity can start flowing, Zach says.
“There’s land clearing and earthworks, fencing, trenching for electrical cables, construction of roads and drainage, as well as piling for the racks that hold the panels and mechanical installation of the panels themselves.”
The most high-profile solar farms are those being built to feed the national grid, including the 32-megawatt plant near Kaitaia in Northland, the 63-megawatt site at Lauriston on the Canterbury Plains, and the 150-megawatt Kōwhai Park facility being built beside Christchurch Airport. Some of these require a construction workforce numbering in the hundreds, with many roles being filled by people in their local regions.
However, there are also a growing number of commercial solar projects being built to power individual enterprises and businesses, Zach says.
These include solar plants at mines, quarries and agricultural properties such as dairy farms, where contaminated or less productive land is increasingly being used for solar infrastructure to power energy-intensive buildings and machinery on site, reducing carbon emissions.
One of the most recent projects undertaken by Platinum Energy and TPM Civil was at Road Metals Quarry in Rolleston, where a 500-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system was built on rehabilitated land to power the on-site crushing and aggregate processing operations.
“They quarried the site, backfilled it, and then used the land for the solar plant. Most of the energy is used on site, but any excess generation is exported and sold to the national grid.”
Working outdoors with the latest technology
Zach says one of the things that makes working on solar projects appealing is the technology involved.
“It’s a new frontier and there’s some amazing technology and challenges. The piling rig we use – there are only a handful in New Zealand. We work on some really interesting ground, whether it’s hard riverbed in Canterbury or softer ground in Northland where you basically have to dig all the way to China before you get load bearing on a pile.”
Zach says many Kiwis are well suited to building solar farms because they enjoy working outside and aren’t afraid of wind and rain.
“Some of the Aussies that come over here pretty much melt in the rain,” he jokes. “But our teams get a real reward out of it.”
What’s behind the solar boom?
Platinum Energy directors Nick Donkers and Liam Brown say the demand for solar infrastructure is being driven by government renewable energy and carbon emission reduction targets, as well awareness of the cost efficiencies solar can bring to businesses.
“We also need a lot more energy generation in New Zealand because of all the electrification that is taking place,” Nick says. “Solar has the lowest renewable energy cost globally and it’s quick to build and easier to consent than a wind farm or new dam.”
There are currently dozens of solar farms under construction or consented to be built across Aotearoa, from Cape Reinga to the Bluff, and neighboring countries including Australia and many of the Pacific Islands are building and exploring opportunities for solar projects too.
Liam concedes building solar farms in New Zealand poses some extra challenges compared to Europe, North America and Australia, including increased risk of corrosion near the coast, variable ground conditions, and the risk of winter snow in some places that can damage panels under its weight. However, he says these issues are easy to overcome with a bit of problem solving and design expertise.
Solar projects: an ideal starting point in civil construction
Zach says the demand for solar energy means building a solar plant as a first job in the civil construction industry will become more common in the years ahead.
TPM Civil only became involved in solar infrastructure construction 18 months ago, but the amount of work has allowed it to grow quickly, often using solar projects as a “testing ground” for new employees, under the supervision of more experienced staff.
He says working on solar projects it is an ideal way for someone to dip their toes into the industry as it provides exposure to a range of skills, allowing new team members to work out whether their passion lies with heavy machinery, electrical works, or in another field.
Many employers will provide on-the-job training, enabling young people to rapidly develop and progress their careers, Zach says.
“We are often going into small towns for our builds and some projects need upwards of 40 people. You can make some real money, and it’s great for the CV to be able to say you have worked on a solar project.
“Some of the locations we work in have some pretty good views too … 100% there are good opportunities in solar.”
