Farmers across Australia are investing in renewable energy sources to reduce its operational costs!
Farmers and lobby groups are changing to renewable energy to cut their electricity costs after electricity bills are set to rise.
National Irrigators Council Chief Executive Steve Whan said: “High costs were putting a particular pressure on irrigators”. Hence why some irrigators have installed solar panels to reduce those costs. Think of when we need irrigation – when the sun is shining and crops need more water. It is a continuous cycle; the more the sun shines, the more solar energy produced, keeping irrigation costs down.
A Victorian potato grower is over the moon after receiving his first bill since installing the renewable energy source – a total of $3,500 reducing his electricity bill by half. Before solar panels were installed he could pay up to $8,000. He had not previously thought about solar panels until he was approached by a solar power company, which encouraged him to do his own research. Once the season finishes he will relocate the solar power supply to his packing sheds when not using his irrigation. He expected to be able to operate this at zero cost.
Another happy farmer has increased the size of his peanut planting through the combination of solar panels, a variable speed conducted by the pump and a centre pivot irrigator. And he is able to do this all without reducing reliability!
At Burnett region, a farmer has recently installed a solar power system and expects to reduce his bills by 50%. His return on investment is estimated to be 6-7 years.
In Victoria, solar power may be the easiest energy source for farmers. Hence why many in the farming community are utilising their structures and land and installing solar power systems. Don’t be at the back of the herd, tap into the suns energy and reduce your bills today!
Very informative blog. I agree that solar power is a great investment, especially for farmers.