Negative Power Bill on an Orchard?

At Forest Lodge Orchard, we're breaking new ground in sustainable farming and energy innovation. This year, our goal is to achieve a negative $10,000 power bill, and we’re well on our way to making that a reality. By combining solar power generation, battery storage, and an innovative energy deal with our local energy distributor, Aurora, we’re transforming our orchard into a mini power plant. Here’s how we’re doing it.

Turning Forest Lodge Orchard into a "Mini Power Plant"

Our cherry orchard, located in the heart of Central Otago, is powered by a 100% electric setup. This includes 21 electric machines, 216 solar panels on our ground mounted array, and an advanced battery system (shoutout to Panasonic & SunVolt enterprises) that stores the energy we produce. The system is designed to capture the sun during it’s daily run and then store any surplus energy for later use. But we don’t stop there—when the demand for electricity peaks, especially during New Zealand's harsh winters, we export that stored energy back to the grid.

The concept is simple: we buy electricity when it’s cheap, store it, and sell it when prices surge. And then during peak periods, we’re not just self-sufficient—we're contributing to the local power network, providing enough energy to power around 25 homes. This allows us to turn a profit, basically now a small-scale renewable energy hub.

Our Partnership with Aurora Energy

Aurora Energy, our local energy distributor, has played a crucial role in helping us achieve this milestone. We’ve signed an exciting deal with them, which allows us to export power back to their grid during times of congestion. Essentially, when their network is stretched during peak periods, we step in to help by feeding our surplus power back to the grid. Aurora pays us for this, allowing us to profit not only from the wholesale market price of electricity but also supporting the stability of local energy infrastructure. This value-stacking approach means we’re compensated twice—first for providing power when it’s needed most, and second for helping reduce strain on the network.

Solar, Batteries, and the Road to a Negative Power Bill

Our battery and solar setup at Forest Lodge Orchard is state-of-the-art. The solar panels harness Central Otago’s abundant sunshine to generate electricity, while our high-capacity batteries store the energy we don’t immediately use. By optimizing when we buy and sell electricity, we’re able to not only cover our own energy needs but also generate surplus energy that we can sell at peak prices. For example, during recent grid emergencies, we bought electricity at just 30 cents per kilowatt-hour and sold it back for $4.50 per kilowatt-hour on the same day. This smart energy trading is at the core of our goal to achieve a negative power bill.

This shift to renewable energy has been a game-changer for us. If we had continued to rely on diesel-powered equipment, we would have been spending around $51,000 annually on fuel. By going fully electric, we’ve slashed our energy costs significantly. Now, with our solar and battery setup, we’ve cut costs even further—and by selling our surplus energy, we’re on track to turn those savings into profit.

A Sustainable Future for Farming

At Forest Lodge Orchard, we’re not just growing Cromwell cherries—we’re growing the future of sustainable farming. Our partnership with Aurora and our innovative approach to energy management are helping us lead the way in 100% electric farming. As we continue to explore new opportunities in the energy market, we’re proving that sustainable practices don’t just benefit the environment—they can also create new revenue streams for farmers. Our goal of a negative $10,000 power bill is within reach, and we’re excited to share our journey with other farmers and businesses looking to make the switch to renewable energy.

From Cromwell cherries to electric cherries, we’re proud to be a part of Central Otago’s green energy revolution. As we continue to innovate, Forest Lodge Orchard is setting a new standard for what’s possible in sustainable, 100% electric farming.

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