AgriFutures is investing in a national collaborative agrivoltaics project, led by the University of Melbourne through the Victoria Drought and Climate Adaptation Hub. The project includes the installation and assessment of photovoltaic systems across Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, with the Tasmania Hub participating as an observer. As part of the initiative, the University of Tasmania’s Matt Harrison is undertaking a modelled analysis of the production and economic impacts of agrivoltaic systems.

Project description: 

In Victoria, a full system has been installed at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus, and a second demonstration site is being established with a strawberry grower near Melbourne. In South Australia, the team has completed a proof-of-concept installation at the Waite Campus and is progressing a commercial-scale system at Paxton Wines in McLaren Vale. Western Australia is developing a system at a commercial vineyard in the state’s south-west.

This 12-month project aims to demonstrate the potential of agrivoltaics and explore how these systems can integrate into, and deliver benefits for, viticulture and horticulture industries.

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