SunPower panels power NZ’s largest rooftop solar installation

Auckland Airport’s premium shopping centre, Mānawa Bay, is powered by over 4,600 SunPower solar panels, designed and installed last year by our valued partners, Revolve and Sunergise respectively.  

The Opportunity

Auckland Airport’s annual power usage was equivalent to 5,000 homes and projected to rise to an estimated 16,000 homes in 10 years, driven by forecast growth in passenger numbers and terminal development.

The Solution

The Mānawa Bay project involved the design and installation of over 35 km of electrical cable, 4,600 solar panels and 20 inverters on the roof of the shopping centre in the Airport precinct. The system was meticulously designed by Revolve to maintain the roof warranty, ensuring sufficient clearance beneath the panels for cleaning and providing strategic access to inverters and cable trays for future servicing and maintenance.

The Result

The Mānawa Bay building has a 5 Green Star rating and is New Zealand’s largest rooftop solar power plant, with a peak output of 2.3 MW. “Using solar as a renewable energy source is a key step towards meeting our target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030,” explained Carrie Hurihanganui, Auckland Airport Chief Executive.

Solar engineering, procurement and construction company, Sunergise, won the Best Grid-Connected PV System Award at the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ) Awards 2024 for this project.

What were the biggest challenges on the project?

Throughout the build, everything possible was done to optimise resources, reduce carbon emissions, support local communities and enhance the environment. Implementing the solar system as an integral part of the building development required close collaboration between many parties, all of whom played an important part in the success of the project.

Revolve were the client's engineer for this project, responsible for getting the business case approved, completing the design for tender and managing the construction quality.  

Sunergise managed the complex coordination of a large-scale build, accommodating necessary design modifications so they could install the system.  

An unusual challenge was the photographic and video documentation of the project, as drone operations were restricted to a maximum altitude of 61 metres due to the site’s proximity to the Airport and required specialist approvals. Revolve coordinated closely with Airways to obtain approval to fly in close proximity to the airport.

Why were SunPower solar panels chosen for this project?

SunPower panels were selected based on their comprehensive ethical sourcing and supply chain traceability, ensuring transparency from raw materials through to finished panel production. The decision was also influenced by SunPower's competitive pricing structure, superior performance characteristics, and the company's commitment to responsible manufacturing practices that aligned with the project's sustainability objectives.

What benefits is the solar system delivering?

The solar system is designed to generate sufficient clean energy to power approximately 410 residential homes annually and prevent approximately 386 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to the environmental impact of a Toyota Corolla driving the length of New Zealand 1,200 times.  

As New Zealand's Premium Outlet Centre, Mānawa Bay's solar installation enhances its appeal to environmentally conscious global brands and consumers.  

“Ethical considerations were integral to this project. By partnering with SunPower, we were able to ensure the project adhered to strict standards regarding human rights and labour practices throughout the supply chain” said Paul Makumbe, Sunergise Managing Director