Sunergise Wins Three Major Awards at 2025 SEANZ Awards
Sunergise has been honoured with three prestigious awards at the 2025 Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ) Industry Awards, cementing the company's position as a leader in renewable energy across New Zealand and the Pacific.
After more than a decade of engineering and building award-winning solar energy solutions, Sunergise received recognition across multiple categories, taking home the SMA Best Large Business Award, Revolve Energy Best Grid-Connected System Award, and the Best Off-Grid System Award.
The SEANZ Industry Awards celebrate not only technical excellence but also commitment to sustainability and community outcomes. The awards recognise companies and projects that are driving positive change in New Zealand's renewable energy sector.
Winner, SMA Best Large Business Award
Sunergise was named Best Large Business, an award that recognises business excellence within New Zealand's renewable energy industry. The award celebrates companies that have achieved growth while making positive contributions to society, industry, and all stakeholders.
In announcing the award, SEANZ described Sunergise as "Leaders in their field, ensuring excellence in all aspects of their work - from technical to community." Additionally, it noted that Sunergise is "a leading clean energy provider across New Zealand and the Pacific, delivering 60MW of solar PV and 40MWh of storage to date."
The recognition helps highlight a long-held commitment to sustainability, as well as Māori and Pasifika participation and community outcomes. The company has established trusted partnerships with governments, utilities, and commercial clients across the region, delivering reliable, scalable renewable energy solutions.
Winner, Best Grid-Connected System: Victoria University Living Pā, Ngā Mokopuna
Work by Sunergise as part of the teamon the Victoria University Living Pā, Ngā Mokopuna project earned the Revolve Energy Best Grid-Connected System Award. This landmark installation represents a breakthrough in sustainable construction, meeting the rigorous Living Building Challenge standards, one of the world's most demanding green building certifications. The installation features a net-positive energy system with seven-day backup capacity for critical loads. It successfully merges architectural vision with uniquely functional resilience.
SEANZ described the project as "A benchmark in sustainable construction." And "one of the few worldwide meeting Living Building Challenge standards... proving performance and ethics can coexist without compromise... establishing a precedent for renewable energy development." Sunergise implemented the award-winning solar power system through collaboration with Victoria University of Wellington, Revolve Energy, and EPC Energy.
Winner, Best Off-Grid System: Motutapu Island
The Best Off-Grid System Award recognised Sunergise's innovative work on Motutapu Island, where the company transformed one of New Zealand's most iconic conservation sites from diesel dependency to energy independence.
Motutapu Island previously relied on diesel generators, which had high fuel costs and emissions. The challenging logistics of fuel transport made the situation increasingly unsustainable for the Department of Conservation's operations.
Sunergise delivered a comprehensive island microgrid solution featuring high-efficiency solar generation, robust and redundant battery storage, and an intelligent hybrid management system designed to withstand harsh coastal conditions. Working with the Department of Conservation and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, the team overcame significant logistical, environmental, and heritage challenges to deliver a turnkey, future-proof system.
The result has been a dramatic reduction in fossil fuel use, enhanced operational resilience, and energy independence for this precious conservation site. SEANZ described the project as "A national benchmark for renewable power in remote, environmentally sensitive locations," noting that "the complexity of working on an island makes the scale of this solution impressive."
The Future Is Bright
As New Zealand continues its transition to sustainable energy, Sunergise remains committed to leading positive change across New Zealand and the Pacific, delivering innovative solutions that protect our environment while building energy independence for communities and organisations.
Congratulations to all winners and finalists at the 2025 SEANZ Industry Awards. Together, we're building Aotearoa's sustainable energy future.
For more information about Sunergise's award-winning projects or to discuss your renewable energy needs, contact our team today.
Sunergise Shines Bright at SEANZ Awards 2024
Sunergise Shines Bright at SEANZ Awards 2024!
We’re thrilled to announce that Sunergise, New Zealand’s 100% Kiwi-owned solar power company, has won two prestigious awards at the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ) Awards 2024!
Best Grid-Connected PV System
Our Mānawa Bay project, New Zealand’s largest rooftop solar power system, received the Re/volve Energy Best Grid-Connected PV System Award.
Mānawa Bay, a 5 Green Star rated building, involved the installation of over 35 km of electrical cable and 4,600 solar panels. It showcases our commitment to large-scale electrification and local expertise. The system was meticulously designed to maintain the roof warranty, ensuring sufficient clearance beneath the panels for cleaning and providing strategic access to inverters and cable trays for future servicing and maintenance.
Ethical considerations were integral to the project. By partnering with ethical provider Maxeon and rigorously assessing the supply chain, the team ensured that suppliers adhered to strict standards regarding human rights and labour practices.
Best Large Business
We’re also honoured to receive the SMA Best Large Business Award, recognising our excellence in the renewable energy sector. The judges commented, “Sunergise’s unique PPA offering sets them apart” and “Their commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable solutions makes Sunergise worthy of recognition.” “Their engineering team has tackled some challenging installations and come up with elegant solutions” and “They have an obvious imperative to invest in quality assets, producing systems that will last.”
Following the awards, Our COO, Rogier Simons, reflects: “I’m super proud of the team for winning both awards. This achievement truly reflects what Sunergise is capable of and highlights the exciting future ahead as we continue to build lasting renewable assets for our customers.”
Sunergise Managing Director Paul Makumbe adds: “We are incredibly honoured to receive these awards. This recognition reflects the hard work, dedication, and innovation of our entire team at Sunergise. We’re committed to driving sustainable energy solutions for a greener, more resilient future.”
To our team, partners, customers, and supporters: Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we’re powering a brighter future for New Zealand!
"We are incredibly honoured to receive these awards. This recognition reflects the hard work, dedication, and innovation of our entire team at Sunergise. We're committed to driving sustainable energy solutions for a greener, more resilient future."
said Sunergise MD Paul Makumbe.
Sunergise is awarded for Best Grid Connected PV System and Best Large Business at the 2024 Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ) awards.
