Vegetation Management at a Mountain Solar Power Plant in New Zealand

Project Background

A solar power plant located in the mountainous region of New Zealand covers approximately 1,200 acres. The lowest clearance between the ground and the solar panels is only 30 cm, making conventional mowing equipment unsuitable for maintenance.

During the summer season, rapidly growing weeds covered over 60% of the solar panels, severely blocking sunlight and causing a significant drop in power generation. In addition, the dense dry vegetation created a serious fire hazard.

Previously, the plant had to rely on multiple rounds of manual weed control each year, resulting in high labor costs and low operational efficiency.

Our Solution

We provided the AV-600L Remote-Controlled Tracked Mower, specifically designed for challenging environments such as solar farms and steep terrains.

Key advantages of the solution include:

Ultra-low profile design that easily operates beneath solar panels Tracked system capable of handling uneven mountainous terrain with stability Remote operation, allowing operators to safely control the machine from a distance Efficient vegetation management without damaging infrastructure With this solution, operators can safely and efficiently complete mowing operations without entering hazardous slopes or tight spaces beneath the panels.

Results

Significant Cost Reduction

After adopting our equipment, the solar plant reduced its annual vegetation management costs by 80%.

Increased Power Generation

By eliminating weed shading across the panels, the plant's annual electricity generation increased by more than 10%, generating nearly RMB 2 million in additional annual revenue.

Improved Safety and Fire Prevention

The solution completely eliminated the safety risks associated with manual work on steep slopes while significantly reducing fire hazards caused by dry vegetation.