Project Overview

Commercial solar panel installation across an entire aged care development – that’s exactly what Future Energy delivered at Stage 1 in Clevedon. Designed and commissioned as a single cohesive package across all 38 homes, the system ensures uniform quality, simplified maintenance, and maximum generation across the entire development.

This project demonstrates what becomes possible when commercial solar installation is built into the development from day one. Met Life Care and their team specified high performance components throughout, resulting in a solar installation in NZ that meaningfully reduces operating costs and carbon emissions for the community it serves.

System Delivered

228 × REC 410W PV Solar Panels (93 kWp Total)

REC’s high efficiency monocrystalline PV solar panels were selected for their exceptional output and long term reliability. Deployed across all 38 homes, the 228 panel array delivers a combined capacity of 93 kWp – a purpose built commercial solar system designed for multi dwelling development at scale. This is one of the more significant solar installations in NZ for the aged care sector, delivering genuine performance where it matters most.

Enphase Micro Inverters

Panel level power conversion eliminates single points of failure across the development. Each panel operates independently, meaning shading or a fault on one panel has no impact on the rest of the commercial solar power system – an important consideration for a development spanning multiple rooflines.

Clenergy Mounting System

Engineered mounting throughout, providing a clean, low profile commercial solar installation across every roofline in the development. Designed for long term structural integrity and weather resistance, ensuring the system performs reliably through New Zealand’s full range of conditions.

Outcomes

• 45% reduction in total site energy consumption
• 145,000 kWh of clean electricity generated per year from the residential solar power system
• 25.8 tonnes of CO₂ offset annually – equivalent to meaningful carbon savings over the system’s 25 year life
• Integrated commercial solar installation delivered across all 38 homes as a single system package
• High performance components specified for longevity in a residential aged care environment

The battery energy storage system architecture used in this project further maximises the value of every kilowatt hour generated, with solar battery storage NZ options available for future stages of the development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can solar be delivered across a whole development rather than home by home?

Yes – and for larger developments, it is often the smarter approach. Delivering commercial solar NZ projects as an integrated package allows for consistent specification, coordinated installation, and simpler ongoing maintenance. It also gives the developer greater purchasing power and ensures every home benefits from the same quality of commercial solar power system, rather than leaving it to individual homeowners to arrange separately at varying cost and quality.

How significant is a 45% reduction in site energy consumption?

It’s substantial. For an aged care development, energy is one of the largest ongoing operating costs – covering heating, lighting, appliances, and shared facilities across every home. Cutting that by nearly half has a direct and lasting impact on the cost of running the site, and on the carbon footprint of the community. Over the 25 year life of a commercial solar installation of this scale, that saving compounds significantly.

Is solar a viable investment for aged care developers?

Increasingly yes. The combination of falling panel costs, strong government support for emissions reduction, and rising electricity prices makes commercial solar a compelling case for developers. For aged care in particular – where residents are on fixed incomes and operators face ongoing cost pressure – reducing energy bills through on-site generation from a residential solar power system is both financially and ethically sound. Projects like Clevedon demonstrate that solar installation in NZ can be delivered at scale without complexity, and with meaningful results from day one.

Can additional stages of the development be added to the system later?

Yes. Designing the commercial solar power system as an integrated package from the outset makes it straightforward to expand as future stages are built. The infrastructure, inverter architecture, and monitoring systems can all be scaled to accommodate additional homes, ensuring the development’s solar capability grows alongside the community itself. Solar battery storage NZ solutions can also be incorporated at any stage to further enhance system performance.

Considering commercial solar for your development? Future Energy specialises in commercial solar installation NZ wide – from single site commercial solar systems through to large-scale multi-dwelling projects. Talk to us about what’s possible for your next stage.