How to blend renewables with agriculture
EnergyCo, in consultation with Farm Renewables Consulting, has published the Agrivoltaics Handbook to help landowners navigate solar infrastructure on farmland.
The handbook explains how renewable energy can coexist with farmland. Landowners and solar developers can access information and case studies on grazing within solar farms, growing crops and horticulture, and best-practice guidelines before entering contracts with solar developers.
Understanding agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics (also referred to as ‘agrisolar’) refers to having agricultural production systems and solar development occurring on the same farmland.
Blending these provides a two-in-one solution that helps meet the country’s rising demand for renewable energy while preserving farmland.
This handbook is the first comprehensive resource to provide guidance on the planning, design and implementation of Australian agrivoltaics projects.
It contains information for landowners and solar developers on integrating agricultural activities – like grazing and cropping - during the design of large-scale solar farms.
Led by you
We know it’s important for landowners and graziers to be involved during the early design phase of a solar farm, where possible, to ensure their input and specialist knowledge informs the design of the solar farm.
The Agrivoltaics Handbook was developed with Farm Renewables Consulting and Progressive Agriculture. Farmers, solar developers, and academics generously provided their time and expertise to develop the Handbook.
The handbook includes:
information for landowners wanting to graze sheep or cattle within solar farms, and/or grow crops and horticulture under solar panels
guidelines for how to incorporate solar systems into farmland
comprehensive checklists of considerations before entering a grazing contract with solar developers