Project:
Omokoroa Esplanade Carpark
Completed:
2025
Location:
Omokoroa, Tauranga
Client:
Western Bay of Plenty District Council
Completed in March 2025, the Omokoroa Esplanade Carpark Extension showcases how solar lighting can meet public infrastructure needs sustainably, quickly, and without disruption.
Located on the waterfront and exposed to wind, salt spray, and variable light conditions, the project needed a lighting system that was robust, reliable, and completely off-grid.
With no existing electrical infrastructure and a desire to avoid a costly transformer upgrade and long cable reticulation runs, Western Bay of Plenty District Council identified solar as the most practical and sustainable option.
“Through using solar, we managed to avoid a transformer upgrade and a large run of cable reticulation — this was a big saving in dollars and resources,” the Council noted, adding that the integration of a low-impact, sustainable solution aligned perfectly with their long-term environmental objectives.
Ibex Lighting’s Solis solar was chosen for its proven performance, local manufacture, and ability to deliver quickly.
Project Manager Steven Sobey explains: “For this project, it was really about finding the right balance between performance, sustainability, and simplicity. The Council needed something reliable, low-impact, and future-focused — and Solis delivered on all fronts.”
Locally Designed and Built for New Zealand Conditions
Solis is a purpose-built solar streetlight, designed, engineered, and assembled in New Zealand. Its integrated design combines a high-efficiency solar panel, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery, MPPT controller, and LED luminaire into a single, compact system.
This approach reduces installation complexity, eliminates trenching and cabling, and significantly lowers overall project cost.
Built from corrosion-resistant materials and tested for New Zealand’s coastal conditions, Solis was developed with exactly this type of environment in mind.
As Ibex Lighting Product Manager Michael Peterson notes, “The coastal environment at Omokoroa brings some unique challenges — wind exposure, salt spray, and varying light conditions throughout the year. Solis was built with exactly that kind of environment in mind. The system’s autonomy, materials, and smart control capabilities meant we could offer a solution that was not just technically sound, but truly suited to the setting.”
Lighting Performance with Minimal Disruption
Solis uses dark-sky friendly optics to direct light precisely where it’s needed, reducing glare and light spill. At up to 140 lm/W efficacy, the system is configured for dusk-to-dawn operation, with the flexibility to adjust profiles if required. Its modular design accommodates different pole heights and mounting styles, making it ideal for carparks, shared paths, and public walkways.
Local manufacturing ensured a short lead time, enabling rapid installation with minimal site disruption — an important factor for a public waterfront area. Reflecting on the result, Peterson adds, “Seeing Solis in use here — doing exactly what it was designed to do — is a proud moment. It’s a great example of a system that’s built for our conditions and delivering long-term value to the community.”
This project is a clear example of how locally designed and built technology can provide a sustainable, low-maintenance lighting solution that meets both community needs and environmental goals.
