Australia, a land synonymous with both vast agricultural landscapes and abundant sunshine, stands at the cusp of an exciting agricultural and energy revolution: agrivoltaics. This innovative approach strategically combines solar energy generation with agricultural practices on the same land, unlocking a wealth of potential benefits for farmers, the environment, and the nation’s renewable energy targets. As the world grapples with the intertwined challenges of food security and climate change, agrivoltaics offers a compelling pathway towards a more sustainable and resilient future for Australian agriculture.
What is Agrivoltaics?
At its core, agrivoltaics, also known as solar sharing or dual-use solar, is the simultaneous use of land for both photovoltaic (PV) solar energy production and agriculture. Instead of viewing solar farms and agricultural land as mutually exclusive, agrivoltaics seeks to create a synergistic relationship where both activities can coexist and even benefit from each other. This is typically achieved by elevating solar panels high enough to allow for farming activities underneath, or by strategically spacing panels to allow sufficient sunlight penetration for crops or grazing.
The concept extends beyond simply placing solar panels on farmland. Successful agrivoltaic systems are carefully designed and managed to optimise both energy production and agricultural yields. This involves considering factors such as the type of crops or livestock, the height and spacing of the solar panels, the orientation of the rows, and the microclimate created by the presence of the panels.
Benefits of Agrivoltaics in Australia
The adoption of agrivoltaics in Australia presents a multitude of compelling advantages:
- Increased Land-Use Efficiency: In a country where arable land can be a precious resource, agrivoltaics offers a way to maximise the productivity of each hectare. By generating clean energy and producing food or fodder on the same land, it reduces the pressure to choose between these essential activities.
- Additional Income for Farmers: Agrivoltaic systems can provide farmers with a stable and diversified income stream through the sale of electricity generated by the solar panels. This can enhance farm profitability and resilience, particularly in the face of fluctuating agricultural markets or adverse weather conditions.
- Reduced Water Evaporation: The shade provided by elevated solar panels can significantly reduce soil temperatures and water evaporation from the land below. This is particularly crucial in Australia’s often arid and drought-prone regions, potentially leading to lower irrigation needs and improved water conservation.
- Improved Crop Yields & Quality: In some cases, the partial shading provided by solar panels can create a more favourable microclimate for certain crops, protecting them from excessive heat and sunlight. This can lead to improved yields and higher quality produce for shade-sensitive crops.
- Enhanced Livestock Welfare: For grazing animals, the shade offered by solar panels can provide crucial shelter from the harsh Australian sun, reducing heat stress and improving their overall well-being. As a result, wool yields may also be improved in sheep.
- Contribution to Renewable Energy Targets: Agrivoltaics can contribute significantly to Australia’s renewable energy goals by utilising existing agricultural land for clean energy generation without displacing food production. This can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
- Support for Rural Communities: Agrivoltaic projects can create new economic opportunities in rural areas, supporting local jobs in installation, maintenance, and agricultural management. This great post by our friends at community energy group Geni Energy in Narrabri explains how the local community can get the most from solar projects, including agrivoltaics, in their region.
How Agrivoltaic Systems Work
The design and implementation of agrivoltaic systems can vary depending on the specific agricultural activity and environmental conditions. However, some common approaches include:
- Elevated Solar Panels: This is perhaps the most common configuration, where solar panels are mounted on structures high enough to allow agricultural machinery to operate underneath and for livestock to graze freely. The height typically ranges from a few meters to over five meters.
- Spaced Solar Arrays: In this model, solar panels are installed in rows with sufficient spacing between them to allow sunlight to reach the crops growing in the inter-row areas. The spacing and orientation are carefully calculated to balance energy generation and light availability for the plants.
- Vertical or Bifacial Solar Panels: Vertical installations or bifacial panels (which generate electricity from both sides) can be used in certain applications, such as creating sheltered areas for livestock, while still generating energy.
- Transparent or Semi-Transparent Solar Panels: While still under development and not widely commercially available, these technologies could allow for a more seamless integration of solar energy generation with agriculture by allowing a certain percentage of sunlight to pass through to the crops below.
Learn more in Solar Panels – A Guide For Non Profits
The integration of these systems requires careful planning and consideration of factors such as:
- Light Requirements of Crops: Different crops have varying light intensity needs. The design of the agrivoltaic system must ensure that the chosen crops receive adequate sunlight for optimal growth.
- Machinery Access: For arable farming, the spacing and height of the solar panel structures must accommodate agricultural machinery used for planting, cultivation, and harvesting.
- Livestock Management: For grazing systems, the panels should be robust enough to withstand animal interaction, and the layout should facilitate efficient livestock movement and management.
- Microclimate Effects: Understanding how the solar panels will affect temperature, humidity, and wind speed at ground level is crucial for selecting suitable crops or livestock.
- Solar Panel Efficiency & Maintenance: The choice of solar panel technology and the ease of maintenance are important considerations for maximising energy production and the long-term viability of the system.
Learn more in Solar Panels & Systems Maintenance Guide
Suitability for Community Renewable Energy Projects
Agrivoltaics holds significant promise for community renewable energy projects in Australia. By engaging local farmers and communities in the development and operation of these dual-use systems, it can foster a sense of ownership and shared benefit.
- Local Economic Development: Community-owned agrivoltaic projects could create local jobs and generate revenue that stays within the community, supporting rural economies.
- Enhanced Social Acceptance: Integrating solar energy generation with agriculture can increase public acceptance of renewable energy projects by demonstrating tangible benefits for the agricultural sector and local communities.
- Diversified Income Streams for Farmers: Participation in community agrivoltaic projects can provide farmers with a reliable and long-term income stream, contributing to farm resilience and sustainability.
- Educational Opportunities: These projects can serve as valuable demonstration sites and educational resources, raising awareness about the benefits of renewable energy and sustainable agriculture within the community.
Learn more in A Guide to Community Energy in Australia: Power to the People
Combining with Wind Turbines
The potential of agrivoltaics can be further amplified by combining it with wind energy generation on the same land – a concept sometimes referred to as “agro-wind.” In regions with suitable wind resources, strategically placed wind turbines can complement solar energy production, providing a more consistent and diversified renewable energy supply. The land between wind turbines can still be utilized for agricultural activities, further enhancing land-use efficiency. This integrated approach can create a more resilient and reliable renewable energy system while maximising the economic and environmental benefits for landowners. ReAlliance has prepared this great video showcasing one farmer’s experience farming with wind turbines.
Learn more in Why Solar Panels Are A Top Renewable Energy Source
Integrating with Renewable Energy Batteries
Incorporating batteries with agrivoltaics and agro-wind systems allows them to achieve their full potential. Batteries can store excess electricity generated during peak production periods (e.g., sunny days or windy periods) and release it when demand is high or when renewable energy generation is low. This ensures a more stable and reliable supply of clean energy, reducing reliance on the grid and maximising the self-consumption of locally generated power. For farmers, battery storage can provide backup power for essential farm operations and potentially allow them to participate in energy arbitrage, selling stored electricity during peak price periods.
Learn more in Solar & Renewable Energy Batteries: Why, When & How To Use Them
Additional Technical Details
The technical aspects of designing and implementing agrivoltaic systems involve a range of considerations:
- Structural Engineering: The mounting structures for elevated solar panels must be robust enough to withstand wind loads and other environmental factors while providing sufficient clearance for agricultural activities.
- Electrical Design: The electrical system must be carefully designed to ensure efficient energy generation, conversion, and connection to the grid or local energy storage systems.
- Microclimate Monitoring: Monitoring temperature, humidity, light intensity, and soil moisture levels beneath and around the solar panels is essential for optimising both energy production and agricultural yields.
- Crop and Livestock Selection: Careful consideration must be given to selecting crop varieties or livestock breeds that are well-suited to the microclimate created by the solar panels.
- Economic Viability Analysis: A thorough economic analysis is crucial to assess the financial feasibility of agrivoltaic projects, considering factors such as installation costs, energy prices, agricultural yields, and potential government incentives.
- Regulatory Frameworks: Clear and supportive regulatory frameworks are needed to facilitate the development and deployment of agrivoltaic projects, addressing issues such as land use zoning, grid connection, and environmental approvals.
Australian Examples & Research Initiatives
While still in its early stages of widespread adoption, there are promising examples and research initiatives exploring the potential of agrivoltaics in Australia:
Pilot Projects
Several pilot projects are underway across the country, investigating the compatibility of different agricultural practices with various solar panel configurations. These projects are often focused on specific crops, such as berries, vegetables, or viticulture, as well as grazing systems.
- Mallee Solar Farm (NSW): This proposed large-scale solar farm includes an agrivoltaics pilot project in partnership with Boundary Bend Olives, Australia’s largest extra virgin olive oil producer. The project will investigate the potential to co-locate solar arrays with horticulture and also incorporate sheep grazing within the solar farm area.
- Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School (NSW): This project, part of the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ On-farm Energy Pilot Projects, involves the electrification of irrigation pumps powered by a raised single-axis solar PV tracking system designed to allow livestock grazing underneath, demonstrating an agrivoltaic system.
- Tatura SmartFarm (Victoria): Agriculture Victoria is conducting research at the Tatura SmartFarm, including a novel horticultural solar energy project investigating the configuration of solar panels over a high-value pear orchard to improve fruit quality and explore the concurrent use of land for energy and crop production.
- Cohuna Solar Farm (Victoria): Enel Green Power partnered with Agriculture Victoria on an innovation project at the Cohuna photovoltaic plant to identify suitable pastoral farming plants that can coexist with solar panels.
University Research
Australian universities are actively involved in researching the agronomic, economic, and environmental aspects of agrivoltaics. This research is crucial for providing data-driven insights and best practices for the implementation of these systems.
- University of Melbourne: Researchers at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Campus have installed a 20kW agrivoltaic system in a vineyard to study the effects on crop yields and quality in the Australian environment. This project is funded by AgriFutures.
- Macquarie University: The Transforming Energy Markets Research Centre at Macquarie University is leading research into the legal, policy, market, and technological barriers to agrivoltaics implementation in Australia. They have conducted expert workshops to identify key recommendations for facilitating the uptake of agrivoltaics.
- University of Tasmania (UTAS): Researchers at UTAS are investigating the potential benefits of agrivoltaic systems for improving agricultural productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. They are also exploring novel AVS designs for high-value seasonal crops and their impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
Government Support
Increased government funding and supportive policies will be essential for accelerating the adoption of agrivoltaics in Australia. This could include incentives for farmers, research grants, and streamlined approval processes.
- NSW Department of Planning and Environment: While not explicitly a direct funding program for agrivoltaics, the NSW government has released benefit-sharing guidelines for solar energy developments, which can indirectly support agrivoltaic projects by providing a framework for community benefits.
- You can find information on renewable energy policies and guidelines on their website: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/ (Search for “large-scale solar energy guidelines” or “benefit sharing”).
- Agriculture Victoria: Through initiatives like the Agriculture Energy Investment Plan, the Victorian government supports projects that improve energy efficiency and explore alternative energy options in agriculture, which can include agrivoltaics. They have also been involved in research and pilot projects at the Tatura SmartFarm.
- Federal Government Agencies (e.g., ARENA, AgriFutures): While there isn’t a dedicated large-scale federal program solely for agrivoltaics at the time of this blog, agencies like the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and AgriFutures Australia often fund research and development projects at the intersection of agriculture and renewable energy, which could include agrivoltaics. Keep an eye on their funding announcements.
Industry Collaboration
Collaboration between the agricultural and renewable energy sectors is vital for sharing knowledge, developing innovative solutions, and overcoming potential challenges.
- Agrisolar Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) (Proposed): A prospective NSW-based advisory body, the Agrisolar CRC, has partnered with SEAOAK Consulting to accelerate on-farm renewable energy adoption and protect agricultural land. If federally funded in 2026, this CRC aims to foster collaboration between farmers, communities, and the renewable energy industry.
- Clean Energy Council: The Clean Energy Council has produced the “Australian Guide to Agrisolar for Large-scale Solar” to facilitate collaboration between utility-scale solar proponents and agricultural landholders. This guide promotes the integration of agricultural activities within solar farms.
- Farm Renewables Consulting and Progressive Agriculture: These consultancies collaborated on a report, “Pursuing an Agrivoltaic future in Australia,” which gathered insights from farmers, government, researchers, and solar developers, highlighting the need for greater collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Learn more in Australia’s Renewable Energy Revolution
The Future
Agrivoltaics represents a paradigm shift in how we view land use, offering a compelling solution to the growing need for both clean energy and food security in Australia. By strategically integrating solar energy generation with agricultural practices, it unlocks a range of benefits, from increased land-use efficiency and additional income for farmers to reduced water evaporation and a contribution to renewable energy targets. While challenges remain in terms of community support, optimising system design, selecting suitable agricultural practices, and establishing supportive regulatory frameworks, the potential of agrivoltaics to create a more sustainable and resilient future for Australian agriculture and energy is undeniable. As research and innovation continue to advance and successful examples emerge, agrivoltaics is poised to play an increasingly significant role in shaping Australia’s agricultural and energy landscape for generations to come. The sunburnt country has the opportunity to truly harness its abundant resources in a way that nourishes both the land and its people.
Solar Funding For Non Profit, Community Organisations & Social Enterprises
While the above examples are not typical for non profit organisations, there may be community energy groups considering agrivoltaic projects in their local community, CORENA has recently begun funding community energy groups including Hepburn Energy and Goulburn Community Energy Cooperative. If your community energy group is considering an agrivoltaic project, please do get in contact, we would love to talk to you about it.
Here at CORENA, we receive, record, and transparently report voluntary donations and contributions from the public. We use that money to give interest-free loans to fund non profits to adopt:
- Solar Panels
- Electric Vehicles
- Energy Efficiency
- Getting Off Gas – Replacement of fossil gas appliances with electric alternatives
- Community Energy
- A combination of the above
We actively support the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and provide interest-free loans to eligible organisations. You don’t pay any interest on your CORENA loan, and the quarterly loan repayments are set to be a little less than the savings on your operating costs averaged over a year. This means you are never out of pocket, even though your overall energy cost savings may not be so large in the short-term. However, after your loan is fully repaid you reap the full financial benefit of having lower operating costs.
To learn more, check out how to apply for a project loan, or register for one of our upcoming Online Q&A Information Sessions.
