The Granite Belt is known for its vineyards and also has strawberry farms, lettuce and tomato crops. Could it be the perfect place for some solar agriculture?
A report just released on agrivoltaics shows that Australia has huge potential for a dual purpose farming and that it doesn’t have to be an either/or scenario between ‘growing’ solar and crops.
Co-locating food and energy systems on developed land could present a promising pathway for farmers, solar developers and governments – provided it is well planned and executed.
Karin Stark, director of Farm Renewables Consulting and co-author of the report, said that during the study she found there was considerable optimism for the feasibility of agrivoltaics in Australia, but change was required to ensure future solar developments were undertaken in a way that could guarantee successful outcomes.
“International studies have highlighted several benefits associated with solar over crops, such as enhanced yields in the case of certain produce like berries, tomatoes and leafy greens.
“Solar over vineyards has also demonstrated benefits to the sugar and alcohol content of grapes given the fruit’s sensitivity to hot weather. Overseas research has indicated advantages including increased soil moisture, reduced irrigation demands, protection from excessive heat, and safeguarding against frost and hail damage.”
A combination of solar and grazing is another option that is being explored.
Andrew Bomm, consultant with Progressive Agriculture and co-author of the report, referred to solar combined with grazing.
“Solar grazing can have clear economic benefits for both solar developers and graziers, and play an important role in achieving community support for large scale solar development in rural areas,” he said.
“One key insight that came out loud and clear was that solar grazing systems require adequate planning and design prior to construction to avoid major problems later.”
Agrivoltaic adoption had been slow because of knowledge gaps, technical and economic impediments, poor planning, and a lack of clear policy guidance at development stage, the study found.
For the adoption of agrivoltaics in Australia on a significant scale, the report recommended that the Australian Government provide funding to develop best practice guidelines.
