Partnership Solar
Partnership Solar helps local organisations harness renewable energy while creating lasting benefits for the communities they serve.
More than solar
Community organisations across our network do work that matters — conservation, education, sport, care. Like everyone, they are balancing today's operating costs against investing in the future.
Rather than a traditional sponsorship arrangement, Partnership Solar builds something that keeps giving.
1
TLC funds the solar equipment.
2
Your organisation provides the rooftops.
3
The community helps bring the project to life.
The result is a community-powered solar installation that strengthens the organisation while creating wider benefits for local whānau.
Why it matters
Lower operating costs
Solar generation reduces electricity costs, so organisations can redirect money towards the work that matters most.
Stronger community partnerships
Partnership Solar brings together businesses, schools, iwi, clubs, families and community groups around a shared purpose.
Supporting whānau
What makes this model unique is what happens beyond the rooftop — excess generation contributes towards support for households in energy hardship.
The first project · Ōtorohanga Kiwi House
From the Kiwi House to kiwi homes
TLC sponsored the solar hardware across four Kiwi House buildings. The community was invited to sponsor panels at $300 each — with a target of $29,700 to cover the install of 99 panels — and sponsors are recognised on the Sponsor Wall at the Kiwi House.
Excess solar credits generated at the Kiwi House are gifted to TLC and passed on to households battling energy hardship.
99
Panels across four buildings
$300
Per panel community sponsorship
$29,700
Install cost being raised locally
59.7
Estimated MWh generated a year
Building by building
Weta facility
37 panels · 22.2 MWh/year
Kiwi House
24 panels · 19.4 MWh/year
Large holding aviary
19 panels · 10.1 MWh/year
Medium holding aviary
15 panels · 7.99 MWh/year
Equipment was chosen with the Kiwi House's Living Building Challenge ambitions in mind: Alpha REC 460W PV modules with Fronius inverters.
"TLC didn't simply donate and walk away; they partnered with us in a way that builds enduring visibility, shared ownership, and practical benefit."
Ōtorohanga Kiwi House
Who we're looking for
Partnership Solar is open to community organisations across the King Country, Central Plateau and Ruapehu — marae, museums, sports clubs, halls, schools, conservation and care organisations.
If you have a facility, a vision, and a desire to create lasting local impact, we'd love to explore what's possible together.
What makes a good fit
✓
A community-owned or community-serving facility on our network.
✓
Roof space, and a real electricity bill that solar can bring down.
✓
Willingness to gift excess solar credits forward to households in hardship.
✓
A community willing to get behind it — sponsors, volunteers, supporters.
How applying works
Step one
Tell us about your facility
Send the short expression of interest below. No paperwork at this stage.
Step two
We talk it through
A conversation about your buildings, your energy use and what you want the project to do.
Step three
Site assessment and design
We assess roof space, metering and generation potential, then design the system.
Step four
Partnership and install
We confirm the partnership agreement, invite community sponsorship, and get it built.