Lightyears Solar is a New Zealand-based developer of high-quality solar PV projects, with experience across both offshore and domestic markets. The Morley Road project forms part of the growing renewable energy portfolio supporting New Zealand’s transition to a low-carbon electricity system.
The 2.3 MW ground-mounted solar farm comprises approximately 4,000 solar panels, combining 2,000 kW of single-axis (1P) trackers with 300 kW of fixed-tilt mounting. This hybrid configuration was designed to optimise energy yield while balancing site constraints and operational efficiency.
McKay’s scope covered the end-to-end delivery of the electrical systems, beginning with detailed design and continuing through to installation and commissioning. This included the detailed design of both the DC and AC electrical systems, incorporating the main switchboard and a containerised switch and control room. McKay supplied all required AC and DC cabling, conduit, solar labelling, and cable support systems, and completed the installation and termination of DC cabling at the inverters, AC cabling at the switchboard, and high-voltage cabling across the site.
The project also included the design and manufacture of the main switchboard, delivered by McKay Group company MGE, as well as the manufacture of the containerised switch and control room. McKay additionally designed, built, and installed the SCADA system, providing centralised monitoring and control of the solar farm’s operations.
The Morley Road Solar Farm highlights the value of engaging a single, integrated engineering partner from early-stage design through to construction and installation. The collaboration between McKay and Lightyears Solar enabled shared learning, optimisation of the electrical design, and a coordinated delivery approach, contributing to a successful project outcome and reinforcing McKay’s capability in utility-scale renewable energy infrastructure.
