Lower North Island Solar Energy Farm Site Selection Tool

Babbage developed a proof of concept (PoC) site selection tool to assist a solar farm client in identifying optimal locations for their pipeline of solar energy projects. The tool integrates large-scale geospatial datasets, selection criteria, and automated analysis to replace multiple existing software products and manual processes, significantly enhancing efficiency and decision-making.

The initial PoC version of the tool analyses:

• Land parcel size and ownership aggregation

• Proximity to Transpower transmission lines and substations

• Slope and aspect of the land

• Aerial imagery and terrain data

Planned enhancements will expand its capability to incorporate:

• Ground cover and land use classification

• Access to key infrastructure (roads, water supply, etc.)

• Solar access, weather patterns, and energy yield estimation

• Advanced filtering and search queries

Built on reliable geospatial mapping platforms, the tool provides an intuitive interface with customisation options to meet client-specific requirements. Its modular design allows for the inclusion of complex algorithms and additional datasets, ensuring scalability as the client’s needs evolve.

This project showcases Babbage’s expertise in geospatial analysis and digital mapping, offering innovative, data-driven solutions for the renewable energy sector. By streamlining the site selection process, we are enabling smarter, more sustainable investment in solar infrastructure.