LIGHTYEARS
Powering New Zealand’s Carbon Zero Future
We develop and build high quality, utility-scale solar PV farms for the New Zealand power grid, connected to national distribution networks.
We have experience in the planning, design and construction of utility-scale solar and infrastructure projects in New Zealand and internationally.
We work closely with landowners to allow productive agriculture to continue via agrivoltaic solutions - sharing land with grazing animals.
We help your business meet its carbon neutral goals by selling you renewable energy direct from our farms via a Power Purchase Agreement.
Waiuku Solar Farm from the air April 2024. Video by Gareth Moon. www.garethmoon.com
OUR PROJECTS
WAIUKU SOLAR FARM
ASHBURTON SOLAR FARM
WAINGAWA SOLAR FARM
RANGIORA SOLAR FARM
NAUMAI SOLAR FARM
MEET OUR TEAM
MATT SHANKS
MANAGING DIRECTOR LIGHTYEARS SOLAR
CO-FOUNDER
Matt Shanks has more than 15 years’ experience in Transmission, Distribution and power generation in the Asia Pacific region, including offshore solar projects. Matt’s areas of specialty are power system earthing, HV power cables, HV substations, project and engineering management.
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He knows New Zealand has the capability and resources in place to deploy solar at scale to meet our energy and carbon zero targets. Matt is inspired by the opportunity to bring local talent and innovation to bear in the pursuit of these goals and is passionate about building great teams, making things happen, getting things built, and being part of New Zealand’s solar story.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) and a Bachelor of Music. Alongside his successful engineering career, Matt fills many of his weekends and evenings as a sought-after bass player.
SEAN TOBIN
MANAGING DIRECTOR LIGHTYEARS ENERGY
CO-FOUNDER
Sean Tobin has a background in construction, property development and project management. Lightyears was a product of his desire for a new challenge where he could combine this expertise with his passion for sustainability and contribute to New Zealand’s transition from fossil fuels.
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Throughout his career, Sean has thrived in managing complex projects through to completion, including being in charge of large budgets, leading teams and liaising with local government. Seeing a project come together and something being built and created is what gets him up in the morning. Sean has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Employment Relations, as well as qualifications in finance, marketing and real estate.
In his down time, Sean enjoys boating, running, skiing and spending time with family and friends.
CALLUM MCKAIN
CFO
LIGHTYEARS ENERGY
CO-FOUNDER
Callum McKain has 20 years’ experience in the banking industry here and in the UK, with a focus on corporate finance, financial markets, and structured lending. Most recently he was the Head of Financial Institutions and Healthcare in the Institutional team at Westpac.
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Callum enjoys dealing with people and finding innovative funding structures. With the expected growth in the renewables space there are likely to be several instances where he can use his experience to develop and improve the way we fund projects in New Zealand. He is motivated by being part of a team with a joint purpose to improve the way a sector operates and sees significant opportunities to do this in the renewable energy space.
Outside of the office, you’ll usually find Callum playing, coaching, supporting, or watching sports.
GLEN JACOBSEN
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Glen has more than 15 years’ experience both as an electrician and electrical engineer, with experience in transmission and distribution, MV/HV underground cables, generation and HV/LV industrial electrical design projects.
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David is passionate about strengthening renewable energy generation in Aotearoa and about being involved in an industry which is currently small but growing. Having the opportunity to develop and solve engineering challenges as the industry grows and adding diversity to the generation market are big drivers for him in his work.
David holds a bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Auckland and outside work, spends his time with his young son, and goes sailing when the time and weather allows.
ABIN THOMAS
SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
Abin is an Electrical Engineer with experience in the design of both high-voltage and low-voltage systems and his work has spanned a variety of applications, including substations, industrial and critical care infrastructure, and battery energy storage systems.
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As an engineer, Abin is excited to work in the renewable energy field, an innovative and evolving industry where new technologies are just being implemented. He’s also inspired by playing a part in progressing humanity towards a more sustainable future, through reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
In his free time you’ll find Abin spending time with friends and family, staying active through soccer, the gym, and judo.
DAVID MADJAR
PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
David has more than 15 years’ experience as an engineer working across the generation, transmission/distribution, and communications industries and has a wealth of expertise across these specialties.
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David is passionate about strengthening renewable energy generation in Aotearoa and about being involved in an industry which is currently small but growing. Having the opportunity to develop and solve engineering challenges as the industry grows and adding diversity to the generation market are big drivers for him in his work.
David holds a bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Auckland and outside work, spends his time with his young son, and goes sailing when the time and weather allows.
DJ UNNIKRISHNAN
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
Dhananjay (DJ) Unnikrishnan holds a Bachelor of Engineering Technology from Unitec, where he majored in Electrical, and gained vital skills to bring to the electrical engineering technician role, including in Computer Aided Design.
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He has most recently worked as a mechanic at a company that specialises in electric scooters, and is excited to continue working to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels – this time through solar power generation, at Lightyears Solar.
DJ will play a key role in the development of our solar farms, which will provide much-needed electricity from a renewable source.
Outside work, he loves to travel, particularly to natural waterfalls, and plays basketball, football and video games.
SANJ SINGH
SENIOR SOLAR DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER
Sanj studied science and engineering and has worked as a mechanical designer and manager for nearly 20 years, leading a drawing and design team in the steel manufacturing industry, and overseeing complex design projects.
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She’s inspired by smart, future-proofed design, and the use of technology to create efficiencies for design delivery and operations. As part of the Lightyears team, Sanj values doing something positive for the environment, and is excited to be part of an industry that promotes the positive use of our natural resources and by contributing to a future of lower emissions through clean, renewable energy.
Outside of work, Sanj enjoys exploring nature by fishing and hiking, and cooking and socialising with friends and family.
DEBORAH RILEY
LEGAL COUNSEL
Deborah has strong experience and expertise in local government and resource management law. As a lawyer in this field, she assisted councils on many issues including resource consenting large projects, managing appeals and district plan development.
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Most recently, Deborah has worked as a Senior Investigator for the Office of the Ombudsman, assisting the Chief Ombudsman in investigating a number of complex complaints. She has also worked in local government in the United Kingdom, dealing with contracts and planning law.
Deborah is interested to see how law and policy is adapting to enable renewable energy projects and is motivated by making plans to bring projects together, problem solving along the way and working with people to cater for different perspectives and priorities.
Outside of work, Deborah loves to write, read, and take long bushwalks with her family.
AMANDA PEART
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR
Amanda Peart is an experienced communications professional and journalist with a strong history of public sector communications, specialising in stakeholder engagement. She has a particular interest in environmental communications and behaviour change.
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Description text goes heAs part of Lightyears Solar, Amanda is able to combine her interest in the environment and her communications experience to contribute to a future of renewable energy. She will be leading their communications strategy and community and stakeholder engagement.
Outside work, Amanda loves spending time with family, friends and her dog, music, reading and the beach.re
MEET OUR BOARD
CALLUM MACDONALD
BOARD CHAIR
Callum Macdonald brings with him a wealth of expertise in governance and strategic advice for business. He also has many years of experience as a chartered accountant, including running several of his own large accounting firms.
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Callum is the principal of Consulere Limited, a specialist consulting firm for litigation support and governance, and previously spent 25 years in public practice, both with his own prominent Auckland-based Chartered Accounting firm and an international Chartered Accounting firm. He has also spent time working in a large District Health Board.
Callum splits his time between client advice, directorships, advisory board roles, trusteeships and court expert witness work. He is a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Directors, and a Director of the Drug Detection Agency. Previously, Callum has also been a Trustee of the Auckland Volunteer Coastguard Charitable Trust and Capri Hospital.
BRODY NELSON
BOARD MEMBER
Brody Nelson is a technical founder, with more than twenty years’ experience developing software solutions for mobile and web, creating tools that improve the way people do business, travel and even plan their leisure time.
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He co-founded Daylight (formerly Translate Digital), a mobile-first digital production company, is a co-founder of Stickybeak, a market research business, and in 2015, co-founded the award-winning app Parkable, a tool that connects drivers looking for parking with unused car park spaces near their destination.
Brody has extensive experience across SaaS businesses, product management, technical leadership, software development, and cloud architecture.
He also spent a decade as a teacher in New Zealand the UK, and is passionate about creating opportunities and employment for people and mentoring those who work with him to develop their skills.
LAUREN CURTAYNE
BOARD MEMBER
Lauren Curtayne is a partner at law firm Chapman Tripp, where she leads the firm’s nationwide energy practice. She is an energy sector specialist, advising across major projects, commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions and regulatory matters in energy.
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She brings to the Lightyears board a passion for renewable energy and emerging technology, with strong experience working on projects in solar, hydro, wind and geothermal.
Lauren’s experience includes renewable electricity, oil and gas, mergers and acquisitions of energy companies, joint ventures, energy storage, hydrogen and new fuels. Lauren has particular speciality in negotiation of power purchase agreements, grid connection agreements and operations and maintenance agreements. She has practiced law both in New Zealand and overseas in Abu Dhabi.
Lauren was recognised as the Energy, Natural Resources & Mining Lawyer of the Year at the 2023 APAC Women in Business Law Awards, one of NZ Lawyer’s Elite Women for 2024, and an Up and Coming partner by Energy & Natural Resources Chambers 2025.
We’re proud to work with these organisatoins
CONTACT LIGHTYEARS SOLAR
info@lightyearssolar.co.nz
0800 SOLAR FARM
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