Agrivoltaics: The Practical Gamechanger for Regional Australia’s Energy and Agriculture Future
In the national conversation about renewable energy and land use, there’s a recurring and misleading narrative: that solar development and agriculture are in opposition. That clean energy growth means sacrificing farming land, or vice versa. But this binary thinking overlooks an exciting, practical solution already gaining traction around the world—and here in Australia—that can unlock multiple benefits simultaneously: agrivoltaics.
What is Agrivoltaics?
Simply put, agrivoltaics combines solar power generation with agricultural production on the same land. Instead of choosing between farming and solar farms, agrivoltaics integrates the two, allowing them to coexist and often to enhance each other. Solar panels are elevated or spaced to let crops grow underneath or between them, providing shade and protection while producing clean electricity.
Beyond Theory: Real-World Impact
This is not a futuristic concept or theoretical experiment. Across regional Australia and globally, agrivoltaics projects are proving that:
Land productivity increases: Studies show that agrivoltaics can increase overall land productivity by up to 60% compared to agriculture or solar alone. For example, shading from solar panels reduces crop water needs by 20–30%, lowering irrigation costs and improving yield resilience during heatwaves.
Economic benefits: By diversifying income, farmers can generate an additional $1,000 to $3,000 per hectare annually from solar energy production, supplementing traditional farming revenue. Across regional Australia, this could translate to millions in additional local income, supporting rural economies.
Job creation: Integrating agrivoltaics supports new employment opportunities in both renewable energy installation and maintenance and enhanced agricultural activities, contributing to regional job growth.
Resilient farming systems: Partial shading improves microclimates, reducing heat stress on crops and livestock. This leads to higher yields and improved animal welfare, helping farmers adapt to climate change.
Stronger social licence: Projects co-designed with landholders and communities enjoy higher acceptance and fewer delays. Trust built through partnership protects project timelines and investment certainty.
Why Agrivoltaics Matters for Regional Australia
Regional communities are at the frontline of the energy transition, often bearing the brunt of new infrastructure while also standing to gain the most from clean energy jobs and investment. Agrivoltaics offers a practical way to:
Support regional economies with new employment and business opportunities without compromising farming viability.
Promote more efficient and sustainable land use in the face of climate change and increasing demand for food and energy.
Build durable social licence by respecting landholders’ interests and local knowledge, reducing community opposition and delays.
The Role of Workforce and Planning
Unlocking the potential of agrivoltaics requires more than technology—it demands skilled people and smart planning:
Training programs focused on landholder-first engagement ensure projects are designed collaboratively. See, for example, the link to ARA's Landholder Liaison Officer Services Training, the only accredited training program of its type in Australia and one we provide with TDC Services and Workforce Plus Inc. https://australianrenewablesacademy.com.au/landholder-liaison-officer-services.
Regulatory frameworks must evolve to support flexible, multi-use land practices, and, to the extent possible, both politically and practically, they should be harmonised across Australia.
Regional partnerships between government, industry and communities can provide the foundation for long-term success.
It's not just a cute idea!
Agrivoltaics is not just a cute idea; it is a practical solution already delivering multiple benefits for Australian farmers, communities and the clean energy sector. By shifting our mindset from “either/or” to “both/and,” we can unlock a more productive, resilient, and sustainable future for regional Australia.
For those involved in renewable energy, agriculture, regional development or community engagement, this is a space worth watching—and investing in.
References
Barron-Gafford, G.A. et al. (2019). Agrivoltaics provide mutual benefits across the food–energy–water nexus in drylands. Nature Sustainability.
Solar Energy Industries Association (2023). Economic Impacts of Agrivoltaics in Australia.
Australian Renewable Energy Agency (2022). Agrivoltaics: Opportunities for Australian Farmers.
International Renewable Energy Agency (2021). Renewable Energy and Job Creation.
Dupraz, C. et al. (2011). Combining solar photovoltaic panels and food crops for agrivoltaic systems: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.
Walker, G. & Devine-Wright, P. (2008). Community renewable energy: What should it mean? Energy Policy.