As well as looking at energy efficiency opportunities, Energy Savers audits have been investigating suitable solar PV systems for farms.
Before you consider installing Solar, look at what opportunities are there to improve efficiency or reduce peak consumption to lower costs.
The average payback for Solar PV from the audits is just over 5 years, with most of the payback periods being between 3 and 7 years. The main factors that will reduce the payback period are:
- High utilisation – if you are using power every day, the system will off-set more grid power. For example, if you are powering a pump that is used only 3 days per week; or a cold room that is used only 3 months of the year, it will take longer to pay back because you will not use all available power and rely on exporting power at a lower rate, (currently 10.102¢ in Regional Queensland).
- The right size – Installing the right-sized system that is matched to the amount of energy you use on-site. If the solar system is not too large you will utilise all or most of the power on site, off-setting peak grid power. If the system is too large, you will generate more power than you need and rely on exporting power at a lower rate.
- High daytime tariff – If you are installing solar PV to offset grid power used during peak periods on Tariffs 62 or 65, your payback will be quicker than if you are on Tariff 66.
A solar system designer will assist in choosing the right sized system based on your consumption throughout the year.
Diesel Pump Replacement Case Study
An Energy Savers case study from a North Queensland Paw Paw farm compared the cost of replacing a 36HP belt-driven diesel with either (a) a grid-connected 15kW pump (new grid connection) or (b) a 19kW off-grid pump with a 20kW PV System.
Both electric options reduced pumping energy by ⅔ to 12 MJ/ML/m head. The Solar pumping option would be the most cost-effective with a payback period of 6 years, compared the existing diesel cost; and 12 years for the grid connected option.
Read the full case study HERE.
Solar for Piggeries Case Study
The Southern Queensland Piggeries case study identified energy savings of between 1% and 27% with payback periods between 3.7 and 5.1 years for a number of solar power options at piggeries including different sizes and orientations.
Read the full case study HERE.
For details on low-cost finance for Solar PV including the rebates available under the Renewable Energy Target, see HERE.
Brookstead Grid Connected Case Study
Read about a Brookstead Cotton Grower who added a PV System to power a grid-connected pump HERE.