Construction at the Tauhei Solar Farm in New Zealand has reached a key milestone with the installation of its first photovoltaic panels, developers said this week. The installation, referred to as the “golden row,” sets the standard for quality and alignment across the site and signals the start of full-scale panel deployment.
The 202-megawatt (MW) project, located in the Waikato region, is being developed by Harmony Energy and First Renewables—part of Clarus—in partnership with Spanish construction firm Elecnor. The site is expected to be fully operational by 2027, with commissioning scheduled for late 2026.
“The golden row installation is a milestone moment for everyone involved,” said Garth Elmes, director at Harmony Energy. “Through strong collaboration between government, industry, partners and communities, we are proud to set the standard needed to strengthen New Zealand’s energy security and achieve its climate goals.”
Once complete, the solar farm is expected to supply enough clean electricity to power approximately 35,000 homes—equivalent to the total residential demand in the Matamata-Piako District and neighbouring areas such as Hauraki and South Waikato.
The project is currently about 25% complete, with construction activities drawing around 40% of the workforce from the local Matamata-Piako District. Developers are also implementing biodiversity initiatives, including the planting of more than 100,000 native species on and around the site.
Substation energisation is scheduled for mid-2026. Major infrastructure deliveries are already underway, with the main transformer arriving in Auckland ahead of planned installation in November.
In parallel with construction, Harmony Energy and First Renewables have launched a series of local community initiatives. These include funding solar panels for the Te Miro Mountain Bike Club, supporting students at Te Aroha College, and contributing to eco-friendly lighting in Te Aroha’s central park through the “Light Up the Domain” project.
“So much planning and delivery has gone into the success of this site, and the golden row installation is a great moment to remind all those involved how far we have come,” Elmes added. “We extend our thanks to everyone involved in getting the Tauhei project to this point.
