- A panel at the Solar and Storage Live Expo in Brisbane on March 27 will focus on agrivoltaics, the integration of solar energy with farming, and its potential to enhance farm profitability and reduce climate impact.
- The discussion will highlight strategies to improve sustainability in Australian agriculture through renewable energy integration.
Thought leaders in policy and agriculture are set to discuss transformative solutions for the farming sector. A dynamic panel, "Solar Fields, Fertile Ground: Agrivoltaics for a Sustainable Future," will focus on agrivoltaics—the innovative integration of solar energy with agricultural practices—and its potential to drive profitability on farms while reducing climate impact.
The expert panel will be moderated by Karin Stark, founder of Farm Renewables Ltd, and includes:
- Natalie Collard, CEO of Farmers for Climate Action (representing more than 8,400 farmer members)
- Caitlin McConnel, Farmer & Strategic Legal Advisor, Cressbrook Station Pastoral
- Andrew Chamberlin, Project Manager, Energy, Queensland Farmers' Federation
As Australia approaches the federal election, discussion about the future of farming and climate action is more critical than ever. As climate change, rising cost-of-living pressures, and the long-term sustainability of Australian agriculture pose growing challenges, agrivoltaics offers a powerful solution—enhancing farm profitability and resilience while addressing these critical issues.
For Natalie Collard, CEO of Farmers for Climate Action, the potential of agrivoltaic technology is transformational for Australian agriculture—both environmentally and economically.
"Technologies like agrisolar are genuinely life-changing for farmers. When sustainability and strong profitability go hand in hand, that's when we unlock real, long-term solutions — solutions that mean farmers can be profitable, productive and look after the planet. If we want farmers in Australia farming forever, we need to be having these conversations and sharing these insights widely. That's why Farmers for Climate Action is proud to back the bid for an Agrisolar Cooperative Research Centre. It's time to invest in innovation that delivers for farmers, the environment, and the nation."
Karin Stark said that seeing agrivoltaics discussed on the global stage is encouraging. "While the idea of integrating solar panels over crops and horticulture is still in its early stages in Australia, it's been successfully implemented in other countries for decades. If Australia fully embraces this approach, it could significantly boost food security, support renewable energy goals, and accelerate decarbonisation efforts."
The panelists are united in their view that agrivoltaics holds great promise for Australian farmers, offering dual benefits: producing renewable energy while enhancing agricultural productivity. By combining solar energy with farming, farmers can generate additional income, reduce operational costs, and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable environment.
Caitlin McConnel of Cressbrook Station, which is the oldest identified family business in Queensland, plans to bring her personal experiences on farm with renewable energy integration, and in law, through her work in environment and sustainable development and climate litigation to the discussion.
"Legal obligations relating to environmental protection are inherently linked to human rights, so it is important to take a multi-purpose land use approach to the development of renewable energies on agricultural land. With the right approach, we can not only enable producers and the broader community to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources in satisfaction of underlying environmental goals but also ensure that policy and investment decision-making in this area does not impact human rights.
The Solar and Storage Live Expo is one of Australia's premier events, bringing together leaders in renewable energy, agriculture, and sustainability. With a focus on innovative solutions like agrivoltaics, the expo provides a platform for stakeholders from diverse sectors to discuss the future of clean energy and sustainable agriculture.
For free tickets, please follow this link.
