December 7, 2023
Locally owned and independent
The NR Times Rural News
RURAL NEWS 35
Aussie farmers don’t have to choose between growing food and hosting solar; report shows they can do both Farm Renewables Consulting, Progressive Agriculture A report out today (Wednesday) shows Australia has enormous potential for grazing sheep and growing fruits and vegetables under solar panels, but better planning, more research and targeted government policy is needed to make these options work for local farmers. Agrivoltaics (also referred to as ‘agrisolar’) refers to co-locating agricultural production systems with solar development. Co-locating our food and energy systems on developed land presents a promising pathway for
farmers, solar developers and governments, provided it is well planned and executed. The report Pursuing an Agrivoltaic future in Australia gathered insights from farmers, government representatives, consultants, researchers, and solar developers, on the challenges and opportunities of agriculture and solar developments. EnergyCo was a key partner in the delivery of two workshops contributing to the knowledge gathering process. The authors found agrivoltaic adoption has been slow, because of knowledge gaps, technical and economic impediments, poor planning, and a lack of
clear policy guidance at development stage. Karin Stark, Director of Farm Renewables Consulting and coauthor of the report said: “I found there was considerable optimism for the feasibility of agrivoltaics in Australia, but change is required to ensure future solar developments are undertaken in a way that guarantees 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.” Andrew Bomm, consultant with Progressive Agriculture and co-author of the report said: “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.” “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.” The report underscored the need for research and demonstration sites, supportive policy, and knowledge sharing to pave the way for adoption of agrivoltaics in Australia on a significant scale. The report’s policy recommendations include: • The Australian government provide funding to develop best practice guidelines for developers, operators, and farmers for successful agrivoltaics adoption. • The Australian government collaborate with the renewables
industry to co-invest in ongoing essential research into agrivoltaics in different areas marked for solar development, and for different farming systems such as grazing, viticulture and horticulture. • The Australian government develop a coherent framework of carbon and biodiversity incentives to maximise best practice agrivoltaics adoption, across both broadacre (grazing) and horticultural systems. • There is an intergovernmental agreement between Commonwealth and State Governments to ensure consistent framework across Energy and Agricultural agencies.
Future farmer wins #AgDayAU photo competition An image capturing a determined toddler trying to help feed the rams has been awarded first prize in the 2023 National Agriculture Day photo and video competition. Belinda DimarzioBryan’s photo of her little helper caught the judges’ attention for encapsulating this year’s theme #GrowYouGoodThing. National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke said the judges had a tough job with the competition attracting almost 500 entries. “What’s exciting about this competition is there are no rules on ages or
abilities and that opens the floor to some candid and unplanned imagery. “There are endless moments in farming that you simply cannot plan, like a brewing storm, an animal’s expression or the way the light hits a paddock. “These moments are some of the reasons why farmers do what they do,
Little Helper.
we really do have the best offices in the world.” The NFF partnered with Syngenta for the competition, with the agricultural company providing $5,000 to be shared between six winners. Syngenta Australia & New Zealand Managing Director, Paul Luxton, said the
diversity in this year’s entries was outstanding, providing a snapshot into the different faces, landscapes and produce behind Australian agriculture. “Without doubt, Australian farming is a special industry and imagery is one of the best ways we can share it with all Australians, so they
Storm Above, Harvest Bellow.
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can come on a journey with us and better understand where their food and fibre comes from.” National Agriculture Day – or #AgDayAU - is held on the third Friday of November each year. 2023 #AgDayAU Photo & Video Competition Winners: First place: Little
Helper Photographer: Belinda Dimarzio-Bryan Second place: Grow You Good Thing (video) Photographer: MerriMay Gill Runner Up: Working the Table Photographer: Kylie Fuller Runner Up: Storm Above, Harvest Below Photographer: Helen Carpenter Runner Up: Living the Dream (video) Photographer: Holly Draffin Runner Up: Kate Eggleton Photographer: Generations of Growers
