Te Mana O Te Ra solar farm

Te Mana O Te Ra
Map
CountryCook Islands
LocationRarotonga International Airport
Coordinates21°12′4.24″S 159°48′0.35″W / 21.2011778°S 159.8000972°W / -21.2011778; -159.8000972
StatusOperational
Construction began2014
Commission dateOctober 15, 2014 (2014-10-15)
Construction costNZ$3.3 million
OwnerTe Aponga Uira
Solar farm
TypeFlat-panel PV
Total collector area1 ha
Power generation
Nameplate capacity960 kW
[edit on Wikidata]

Te Mana O Te Ra ("The Power of The Sun") is a photovoltaic power station at Rarotonga International Airport in the Cook Islands. It is the largest solar power station in the Cook Islands. It is owned and operated by Te Aponga Uira.

The array consists of 3051 solar panels and has a peak output of 960 kW.[1] It was funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and constructed between June and September 2014 by New Zealand company Infratec Renewables Ltd. It was commissioned by Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna in October 2014.[2][3]

In 2017 the farm was upgraded by the addition of a 5.6 MWh battery storage system.[4]

Electricity generated by Te Mana O Te Ra is injected into the local distribution grid via an onsite 11,000V transformer.[5] At peak output it can supply approximately 5% of Rarotonga's electricity demand.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "First solar panels installed at airport". Cook Islands News. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Solar project feeding Raro's grid". Cook Islands News. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  3. ^ Jack Montgomerie (22 October 2014). "Solar panels light up the Cook Islands". Timaru Herald. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Energy project huge for Australian firm". Cook Islands News. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Panels needed for solar project". Cook Islands News. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2020.