Agrivoltaics

Could integrating solar and livestock farming be an option for your farm?

As part of the 22-23 Our Land and Water Rural Professionals Fund, Tambo, alongside Victoria University of Wellington and Infratec collaborated on understanding the opportunities and constraints facing farmers integrating solar into their farm systems.

This included a technical and economic feasibility assessment, gauging farmer interest and potential barriers to adoption, and exploring the literature to identify the potential farming, environmental, and social outcomes.

This project was lead by Anna Vaughan alongside Megan Fitzgerald (Tambo), Professor Alan Brent and Ellie Wright (Victoria University of Wellington), and Jasper Kueppers (Infratec).

Farmers booklet

In this booklet you will find a summary of the project including the financial and technoeconomic analysis for both the dairy, and sheep and beef scenarios.

Suitability tool – Canterbury

Use the agrivoltaic assessment tool if you have an interest in knowing if your property could be suitable for solar.

Final report

The final report details the findings of the agrivoltaic project including the methodology and workshop discussion.

Agrivoltaics webinar

The webinar brought together a panel of industry experts including a solar farm developer, district council planner, and researchers to explore the opportunities for integrating solar energy production into your livestock farm.

This work was funded by the New Zealand Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment’s Our Land and Water (Toitū te Whenua, Toiora te Wai) National Science Challenge, contract C10X1901, as part of the Rural Professional Fund 2022-23