Solar panels in animals farm in the outback of Western Australia.

A NEW $3.2 million research initiative is set to reshape how Australian farms power their operations, leading to a lower emissions future for Australian agriculture.

Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC (ZNE-Ag CRC) today announced the launch of Agrivoltaics: Integrating profitable agricultural production and renewable energy generation.

ZNE-Ag CRC Research Program 4 Lead, Professor Marit Kragt, said the project brings together leading researchers, growers, and energy experts from across Australia to explore the co-location of solar panels and agricultural production – known as agrivoltaics.

“Farmers are under pressure to decarbonise, but many are rightly concerned about losing productive land to solar infrastructure. This project aims to show that we don’t have to choose between food and energy, we can do both.”

“Solar panels provide shade for livestock and crops, reduce evaporation from soil and water surfaces, and transpiration from plants, and can also improve pasture production. Beyond these practical benefits, the integration of agrivoltaics can also support dual income streams for farmers from their land, supporting economic growth and greenhouse gas mitigation.” Professor Kragt explained.

Led by Dr. Caitlin Moore from The University of Western Australia and Neil Canby from Sunrise Energy Group the project also explores how technologies can be stacked together to deliver multiple benefits from a single investment.

“By stacking technologies like solar generation, electric machinery, cool storage and water purification, we’re showing how farms can become more resilient, more efficient, and more climate-smart.

“We’re testing two sides of the coin. How land under existing solar farm installations can be used for agricultural production on one side, as well as how solar production can be integrated into existing farming operations to help lower emissions and not compromise on profit.” Dr Moore said.

Field trials at farms in Western Australia and Victoria will test how crops and pastures perform under solar panels, generating real-world data.

Executive Director at Sunrise Energy Group, Neil Canby said an important part of the four-year project is to work directly with producers to test these systems in real-world conditions.

“It’s not just about the research, it’s about building confidence and capability for change. We’ll achieve this by clearly demonstrating co-production potential and addressing concerns about land competition.” Mr Canby said.

The project brings together a multidisciplinary team with expertise in climatology, agronomy, economics, engineering, and outreach, from The University of Western Australia, Sunrise Energy Group, University of Melbourne, Australian National University, Agriculture Victoria, Grower Group Alliance and additional support through the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration.

The project will run for 3.5 years. Three PhD students will be trained throughout the project. One will focus on microclimatic and techno-environmental modelling, another on crop ecophysiology and agronomy, and the third on economic evaluation. These students will be embedded in regional hubs to ensure strong industry engagement and relevance during their study.

ZNE-Ag CRC is funded by the Australian Government through the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program and the contribution of Partners.

Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC was established in July 2024 under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centre Program to reduce emissions across Australian agriculture. It was formed through a collaborative partnership between leading research organisations, industry bodies and government agencies.

ZNE-Ag CRC conducts large-scale, long-term research to enable the implementation of emissions reduction innovation on Australian farms. The CRC is committed to bridging the gap between scientific discovery and practical, on-farm application. By combining research with industry expertise, ZNE-Ag CRC will position Australian agriculture as a key player in the global transition to a lower emissions future, making a meaningful contribution to both national and international climate goals.