Pursuing an Agrivoltaic future in Australia report: Could solar grazing be the future?

Running livestock among solar farms or growing fruits and vegetables underneath the panels could be what comes next for ag and renewable energy.

Fruit and vegetable growers, along with sheep producers, could capitalise on opportunities in the solar energy sector in the future, via solar grazing or using panels as shade protection for delicate plants.

But more targeted research and government policy is needed to make these technologies accessible for the agriculture industry.

The Pursuing an Agrivoltaic future in Australia report, released today, argues combining solar and farming could benefit farmers and developers.

“We don’t need to choose between animals, energy, or food security, we can do both extremely successfully,” report author Karin Stark said.

Ms Stark, who is director at Farm Renewables Consulting, said two modes of agrivoltaics were noted: solar grazing, where livestock is allowed to graze among panels, and horticulture grown on a smaller scale underneath solar panels.

Solar agricultural opportunities include using solar panels as shade and protection for horticulture. Picture: Fraunhofer ISE

“In terms of horticulture, there’s benefits for the plants often because the panels provide protection as shade, from hail storms, excessive heat, and it’s done overseas in lots of other countries,” Ms Stark said.

Libby Skipworth, who runs a fifth-generation family farm at Lake Cargelligo in NSW, has solar panels in place on her property and is looking at raising panels for agrivoltaics.

She said the mixed-operations farm was run in a regenerative manner, balancing natural capital with what is needed to balance business capital.

“We try to look after our land and business for future generations as best we can within all the constraints and challenges that come with agriculture,” Ms Skipworth said.

Solar grazing with livestock. Picture: JR Howard

Key recommendations made in the report include more federal government funding to develop best practice guidelines for operators, farmers, and developers; government collaboration with the renewables industry; development of a coherent framework of carbon and biodiversity incentives; and an intergovernmental agreement between federal and state governments to ensure consistent framework across energy and agricultural agencies.