CMS Expert Guide to Agrivoltaics and Floating Photovoltaics in Australia

While not expressly or directly regulated in any of the Australian states or the federal government as agrivoltaics, there are numerous regulatory requirements in place across Australia that will directly affect whether a solar farm can be established on agricultural land, and vice versa, largely in respect of zoning requirements and land use policies. 

All renewable developments in Australia require the consents falling under the mandate of the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, whilst the individual State governments determine whether or not land within their jurisdictions may be used for agrivoltaics purposes. Examples of state Acts that would have to be considered include the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) and the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Vic) and the Planning Act 2016 (Qld). 

Landholder consent will be required for the solar energy proponents to access and use the land before submitting a planning development application. Once consent has been granted, the local council or state planning authority will then need to be approached for permission to develop the land. Where in Australia the land is subject to a pastoral lease, the consent of both the landholder and the state government will be required in the instance of a pastoral lease. Crown pastoral leaseholds are common in rural Australia 

Environmental Planning Instruments are also required and have been expanded to consider the co-ordination of land use in projects such as agrivoltaics. The relevant authorities must now evaluate a project against several relevant factors, such as ecological sustainability, efficient land-use planning and biodiversity protection. 

Yes, although most of the projects are in an early phase. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) supports the development of these projects and is funding several early-stage projects. Examples include: 

• The University of New South Wales has commenced an agrivoltaics study to understand how crop yields and energy production can sustainably co-locate; 
• In Western Australia a project combining wheat farming and solar generation has been undertaken, and in Victoria a project combining solar generation with fruit growing is on foot; 
•  In the ACT, Mount Majura solar farm is co-located with beehives; and  
• A significant number of solar grazing agrivoltaic facilities. 

There exist several inconsistencies across the different States in relation to the management of development assessments, EPIs, protection of agricultural land and co-location considerations. Whilst a holistic approach is needed in order to create certainty and enliven the commercial justification for agrivoltaics, the current regulations enable these projects to be considered. 

Australia has an abundance of land and sunshine to uniquely position it as a world leader in relation to the adoption of agrivoltaic developments. 

Given the government’s professed urgency in enabling the energy transformation in Australia, technologies that will contribute to achieving its renewable energy targets and reducing emissions underscore the need for their efficient adoption. 

As mentioned above, ARENA supports the development of agrivoltaics projects by allocating government funding to suitable proposals and funding research initiatives.   

Other state and federal grants and subsidies are available, largely to offset greenfields capex. 

FPV face numerous regulatory challenges in Australia, particularly those that concern water rights, the sustainable use of water resources and environmental protection.  

The installation of FPV requires approval from the applicable water authorities under the Water Act 2007, as well as the compliance with several environmental regulations under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Both Acts are Commonwealth Acts applicable to all projects. In addition, certain States have their own policies and procedures with which applicants are required to comply. 

Yes. Although the development of FPV has been limited (due in part to the availability of land for ground-mounted solar developments), successful examples include:  

• In New South Wales the government-funded Lismore Floating Solar Plant has been developed to establish the viability of FPV on ponds use for the treatment of wastewater.  
• In Victoria a ground-breaking 350kW FPV commenced operation for Gippsland Water as the largest FPV project in Australia to date. 

The implementation process is complex and time-consuming. Environmental Impact Assessments and the co-ordination required between several relevant regulatory bodies ensuring compliance and sustainability is challenging.  

Generic regulations are, however, in place to enable the development of FPVs.  

More than 3000 farm reservoirs and dams have been identified in Australia as being suitable for FPV consideration. Farm reservoirs are ideally suited for FPV installations due largely to the simple technical design and ease of access to the electricity grid infrastructure. Behind-the-meter applications are also perceived to be of considerable benefit to large industrials and farms that are far from grid infrastructure. 

While the integration of FPV into existing agricultural and water management practices will possibly present challenges, once the benefits are understood there is likely to be an increasing acceptance of FPV as a prudent tool to achieve several co-existent objectives. 

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) supports the development of FPV by allocating government funding to suitable proposals and funding research initiatives.   

Other state and federal grants and subsidies are available, largely to offset greenfields capex.