Wind and solar energy growth in Australia’s farming regions

Wind, solar, and agrivoltaic projects are set to play a major role in Australian energy production, and farming regions will be central to that growth, due to their cost-effectiveness.

Renewable wind and solar projects can provide farms with reliable long-term income and infrastructure improvements while allowing most agricultural production to continue, and in some cases, they can improve farm resiliency.

But they also introduce considerable financial, operational, and community-level impacts that require careful assessment. Due diligence and strong contracts are a must.

Community impacts can be significant and require careful handling with clear and early communication and transparency.

Farmers who thoroughly assess contracts, seek independent advice, and engage openly with neighbours and communities are best placed to secure the benefits while managing the risks. With careful planning, renewable energy can complement - not compete with - agricultural production and long-term farm viability.