Overview
Agrivoltaic development appears to be just starting in Oceania as countries look for ways to increase food and energy security while also reducing their carbon footprint
In Australia, the University of New South Wales is conducting research into the potential benefits of agrivoltaics. One project involves the installation of solar panels above a vineyard in the Hunter Valley. The panels provide shade to the vines, reducing water consumption and improving the quality of the grapes. The project also generates clean energy, which is used to power the vineyard and nearby communities.
In New Zealand, a company called SolarBright is promoting the use of agrivoltaics as a way to increase food production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company has developed a system that combines solar panels with hydroponic farming, allowing for the year-round production of fresh produce. The system also generates clean energy, which is used to power the farm and nearby communities.
In Fiji, the Ministry of Agriculture is exploring the use of agrivoltaics to increase food production and reduce the country's reliance on imported food. One project involves the installation of solar panels above a vegetable garden. The panels provide shade to the vegetables, reducing water consumption and improving crop yields. The project also generates clean energy, which is used to power nearby communities.
We are excited to hear about agrivoltaic projects in Oceania and add them to the atlas. Contributors from this region should contact us about featuring their sites on the atlas!
Building the Atlas
We launched the Agrivoltaic Atlas on April 12, 2023 for the AgriVoltaics 2023 conference in Daegu, South Korea. We launch with the goal of demonstrating the idea and gathering interest from partners around the world to contribute. If you would like to contribute, contact findme@kailepley.com.