| 162.4kW Solar Array | 193,285kWh/day Annual Generation | 3yrs 11mths Payback | 25% Self Powered |
Project Overview
Commercial solar for schools NZ projects are about more than reducing a power bill. At Saint Kentigern College in Pakuranga, Future Energy delivered a 162.4kW solar installation across six roof surfaces, pairing 280 high efficiency bifacial panels with a premium SMA inverter. The system generates 529.5kWh of clean electricity every day and covers 25% of the college’s energy consumption from solar.
| “It was a no brainer. The proposal spoke very loudly about what it could do for us. It was about when we would start, not if.” Director of the Saint Kentigern Foundation |
The Challenge
Saint Kentigern College consumes approximately 1,000kWh of electricity per day across its Pakuranga campus. With electricity costs rising, the college identified solar as the most practical and financially sound way to reduce its long term operating costs and carbon footprint. The challenge was designing a system capable of generating meaningful output across a complex multi surface roof with six distinct orientations and varying tilt angles, without shading losses between arrays.
The installation also needed to meet the full scope of a commercial project at the institutional level: network applications, certifications, as built drawings, O&M manuals, and a coordinated commissioning process that caused minimal disruption to the school environment.
The System
Future Energy designed and installed 280 high efficiency bifacial panels, 162.4kW in total, paired with a premium SMA inverter. Bifacial panels capture light from both their front and rear surfaces, which lifts generation without taking up more roof space, an efficient choice for getting the most from the available area.
The defining feature of the project is the roof itself. The panels are spread across six separate roof surfaces with different orientations and tilts, and the system is engineered so that each surface performs to its full potential without one affecting the others. The result is a single, well integrated system that uses the entire roof and is monitored around the clock.
The Results
- 162.4kW installation across 6 roof surfaces at Saint Kentigern College
- 280 high efficiency bifacial panels across six roof surfaces
- 193,285kWh of clean electricity generated annually
- 25% of total campus energy consumption is self powered from solar
- Payback period of 3 years and 11 months
- 26.7% internal rate of return over 25 years
- 22.9 tonnes of CO2 offset per year
| “For a trusted partner like Aspec to be comfortable with Future Energy said a lot. I consider Future Energy a partner, not just a supplier. They really have our interests at heart.” Director of the Saint Kentigern Foundation |
Delivered by a SEANZ member installer. Future Energy is a member of the Sustainable Electricity Association of New Zealand, and Solarssured, and is delivering the installed solar system as part of a new build project managed by Aspec, the main civil contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can commercial solar work across a multi surface school roof?
Yes. School roofs are rarely a single clean plane, and Saint Kentigern’s has six surfaces facing different directions. The system is designed so each surface generates to its full potential independently, meaning the orientation or shading of one area does not drag down the others. A complex roof is not a barrier to a high performing system.
What is the financial return for a school investing in commercial solar?
For Saint Kentigern, the system is projected to pay back in 3 years and 11 months, with a 26.7% internal rate of return over 25 years, after which the energy is effectively free for the remaining life of the asset.
How does a bifacial panel work and why was it chosen?
A bifacial panel captures light from both its front surface and its rear glass, using reflected light to generate additional energy without requiring more roof space. For a large institutional installation, bifacial panels improve output and long term return without increasing the array footprint.
What is included in a commercial solar installation at this scale?
Everything, managed end to end: site preparation and safety planning, delivery, all network and metering approvals, electrical certification and inspection, racking and roof integration, the panels, inverter and monitoring, switchgear and grid protection, as built drawings and operating manuals, and full testing and commissioning. One team, one point of accountability.
Considering solar for your school? Whether your school is part of the government Solar on Schools programme or funding its own system, the economics stack up. Talk to the Future Energy commercial team for an assessment of your site. Call 0800 338 363 or email sales@future-energy.co.nz.
