As high energy costs continue to make running farm businesses harder, an expanded federal solar rebate could make installing solar to reduce power bills a more viable option for western Victorian producers.
Making the most of it: Jamie Vogels milks 750 cows across his 1,500-acre property at Scotts Creek, between Cobden and Timboon. He installed a 30-kilowatt system three years ago and is now preparing to upgrade to a 100-kilowatt setup with a 60-kilowatt battery.
🗣️ “Larger systems are what you need on a farm to be economically viable,” Vogels told the Brolga.
The farmer said the rebate makes larger systems more affordable.
“If my tax dollars are going to pay for these subsidies, I might as well put my hand up for some of them,” Vogels said.
Why does it matter? South west Victoria is one of Australia’s most productive regions for dairy, contributing to 20 percent of the entire country’s milk supply. But the high output comes with high energy costs.
Vogels is paying his new system off over a certain number of years.
🗣️ “[With solar] the figures say I'm saving more than I'm paying, so I should still be in front for power costs after I pay the monthly loan bill,” Vogels said.
What’s going on: Last week, federal minister for energy and climate change Chris Bowen announced the government would expand its Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) from 100 kW to 1 MW to allow farms and commercial buildings to install larger solar systems with a price reduction of 20 percent.
Rare (almost) alignment? Federal member for Wannon and shadow minister for energy and emissions reduction Dan Tehan told the Brolga “I prefer to see additional solar panels on farm sheds and factory roofs rather than on prime agricultural land”.
🗣️ “But more information is needed as to how this additional power will be connected into the grid,” he said.
🗣️ “The government is yet to publish the regulations that will allow the changes to the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, and we will wait to see what impact these changes will cost the taxpayer and if they will lower or increase energy prices.”
As part of the announcement made last week, Bowen also requested Australia’s energy rule-maker make changes to ensure commercial and industrial solar systems are built much faster and more efficiently than has been the case.
Across the patch: For Windermere wine grower Michael Unwin, the expansion is an opportunity to re-think the 25-kilowatt, fully off-grid system he installed in 2019.
🗣️ “I would consider [scaling up]. It’s not a huge thing, 20 percent, but I think it’s really sensible,” he said. “I think this is just a really good thing for small and medium businesses. It’s for people who are going to produce power mainly for themselves, and I think that’s really efficient.”
Making the most of it: Through his role as a Corangamite Shire Councillor, Vogels said he knew “a lot of people doing it right here right now with the rebates, especially the large irrigators who use a hell of a lot of power”.
🗣️ “I think we all understand that power’s going up,” he said. “I just advise all farmers to keep a look out and take up any offers that are out there that they can.”
Unwin advised other farmers considering installing solar to design it well and work with local electricians to help keep up maintenance.
🗣️ “I have an electrician who can monitor my system, and they monitor it a lot, they’re aware of what’s happening,” he explained.