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Australian Utility Company Launches Solar-Powered Microgrid to Enhance Agricultural Operations in NSW Riverina AGL Energy and Australian Farming Services are deploying solar-powered microgrids in NSW Riverina almond orchards, aiming to cut diesel use by 85%, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance energy reliability for sustainable agriculture... #AGLEnergy #australia #Oceania #SolarAustralia #solarfarm #SolarMicrogrid #SolarOceania

A very interesting read from The Conversation Australia + NZ about the value of agrivoltaic farming. This is when land is shared between solar panels and agriculture, allowing productive agriculture to continue seamlessly alongside solar generation. It's what Lightyears Solar focus on with our farms, where animals are able to graze around solar arrays. https://lnkd.in/gCE4jAr5

Tru-Cape Farmers Embrace Solar Power To Counter Load Shedding Woes In South Africa Load shedding woes have long plagued farmers across South Africa, disrupting crucial irrigation and cooling operations. However, many Tru-Cape producers are turning adversity into opportunity by investing in alternative energy sources, ensuring a reliable supply of power while cutting costs and reducing their environmental footprint. Among these forward-thinking farmers is Van Niekerk Boerdery, nestled near Caledon, known for its apple and pear production under the Tru-Cape brand. Since their adoption of solar power in October last year, they’ve saved 27.34 tonnes of coal, slashed carbon emissions by 32.47 tonnes, and planted the equivalent of 45 trees. Wimpie van Niekerk, overseeing […] Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/d-tYB57w #solarenergy #alternativeenergy #solarpv #pvsolar #photovoltaic #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatechange #middleeast #africa #india #asiapacific #asia #africa #renewableenergy #solarenergy #southafrica #tru-cape

🗣✏️ The major benefit of agrivoltaics is the micro-climate created under the solar arrays, with cooler temperatures during warm days and warmer temperatures at night. This results in less heat stress and less frost damage for crops. Soils also retain more moisture, which means certain crops grow better, even with more shading. Pastoral production has seen the greatest benefits globally because animals are better protected from the elements, need less water and can access pasture in dry conditions. The integration of solar arrays with sheep farming is a major opportunity for New Zealand. Indeed, it is common practice to utilise sheep to maintain vegetation between and underneath the solar panels. This is a growing business in its own right. https://lnkd.in/dmkyPyz4

Agrivoltaics, a novel concept marrying agriculture with solar farming, harnesses the dual power of farm solar panels to sustain farming practices while generating clean energy.  Read more on the benefits of Agrivoltaics and the future it holds. #Agrivoltaics #solarfarming #solar #farming #canada #sustianablefuture

For some small farmers, the dual use of land for agriculture and solar energy generation, known as is gaining steam as a path to future profitability. But the industry is still in its infancy. #agriculture #energy #solarpower #farmers

Turkey has launched its inaugural agrivoltaic project in the Ayaş district, a collaboration between local agricultural authorities and ODTÜ-GÜNAM. This project uniquely combines a solar power plant with a single-axis solar tracking system in an agricultural field. With a 122 kWp capacity spread over 14 lines, it enables farming activities under the solar panels. The project, focusing initially on six crops, aims to evaluate energy production and agricultural efficiency. Read more ➡️ https://loom.ly/B53_dg4 - PV Magazine Want to find out more about Agrivoltaics? Speak to our team today ➡️ https://loom.ly/VCA1uGE #Agrivoltaics #InnovativeEnergy #SustainableFarming #SolarAgriculture #GreenTech #FutureFarming #EcoFriendlyEnergy

The days of rainfed agriculture are numbered! Zimbabwe will do well to adopt agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics is a brilliant marriage of agriculture and solar energy! Imagine picture-perfect fields basking not just in sunlight, but also under panels generating clean power. These panels shade crops while providing them with just the right amount of light, creating a cooler microclimate. This can actually boost yields, reduce water evaporation, and improve crop quality. Farmers also win by slashing energy bills with their own sun-powered electricity and even selling any surplus back to the grid. There is scope for Zimbabwean farmers to take this route too, especially with Solarpro's Rent To Buy Solar Solutions. https://lnkd.in/dwp6s7rv

Today marked an exciting achievement as we celebrated the graduation of the second cohort of the #AgriSolarAcceleratorProgram, which was tailored to empower innovators in developing valuable financing solutions to accelerate business growth across the Agri-solar value chain while fostering inclusive business models. The program's primary goal was to equip entrepreneurs with a thorough understanding of how solar technologies are adopted and utilized within Uganda's horticulture, aquaculture, and dairy value chains. Speaking at the event, Jude Kigozi, CEO of LUK Solar Ltd shared that the program provided a platform to attract new partnerships for distributing refrigerators to farmers in the dairy, horticulture, and aquaculture value chain, revamp their business strategy to attract niche customers and financial partners, and pivot venture models to better serve last-mile communities. Paddy Nsubuga, Project Manager at Mushana E-SACCO, said, “The program provided us with a platform to develop clear financial plans for aquaculture farmers, including strategies for building solid credit scores and offering flexible plans. Through collaborations with participants like Samaki Care Ltd, they established connections with farmers in their database, enhancing more business opportunities. Kutesa Solomon from ODLN SACCO highlighted that the program helped refine our business model, particularly in onboarding new AgriSolar equipment such as solar irrigation pumps, pipes, and refrigerators. This refinement, coupled with asset financing, has made it easier for them to lend to farmers in the maize and coffee value chains, contributing to sustainable growth and impact in the sector. As we drive efforts towards climate change, we remain committed to boosting the adoption of solar technologies by developing practical solutions that tap into their immense potential to revolutionize the sustainability and economics of energy use in last-mile farming communities as we make a meaningful contribution to the convergence of agriculture and renewable energy. In case you missed, the call for applications for the 3rd cohort is now open and if you got the expertise to provide innovative solar solutions to last-mile communities, seize this opportunity and apply today. Register here: https://lnkd.in/dExGNRj8

“Strawberry #agrivoltaic project combines #PV , #shadescreens , #rainwaterharvesting ” “Insolight, an agrivoltaic specialist, has inaugurated a 3,000 sqm #greenhouse project for a strawberry farm in France. The facility combines #solarpanels , shade screens, and rainwater harvesting.” JUNE 13, 2024 - MARIE BEYER From pv magazine France “Swiss company Insolight has announced the construction of a 3,000 square meter #agrivoltaicgreenhouse in the commune of Sames in southwestern France's Basque country. With an installed capacity of 190 kW, the installation is expected to produce some 260 MWh of energy per year, which equals the consumption of around 50 households.” “The site consists of a greenhouse covered with #semitransparentsolarpanels and removable shading screens to adapt the shading. The owners of the Etchélécu Farm hope to increase their strawberry production by nearly 15%.” https://lnkd.in/eUVTSnnV? Source- original post Read all my posts #MariusPreston