Sheep lend a hoof at Rugby Run solar farm

In what is central Queensland’s first ‘Agri-solar’ arrangement, our sister company, Adani Renewables Australia, is working with local farmers on a sheep grazing trial on the 600-hectare Rugby Run solar farm near Moranbah.

Adani Renewables Australia’s Business Manager Derek Chapman said the combination of traditional farming and solar farming was proving to be an overwhelming success.

“Trying to keep the grass in check around our 247,000 solar panels was expensive and quite difficult using mowing and slashing equipment, Mr Chapman said.

“In August last year, we put out a call to local farmers for sheep and shortly after started a trial with 70 Dorper sheep with self-shedding coats.

“It has been a real winner as there’s good food, good water, good shelter and plenty of space here at Rugby Run – it’s sheep heaven.

“During the day the sheep are able to use the panels as shade while they graze and several have now successfully lambed, which shows us that they are happy and healthy.”

The joint exercise between Adani Renewables Australia and local farmers has shown that combined land use can have positive outcomes for both the agricultural sector and solar operators.

“It’s been great to see our solar farm co-existing with sheep-grazing – arrangements like the one we have here at Rugby Run are win-win for farmers and renewable energy producers,” Mr Chapman said.

“There has always been debate about using prime grazing land for solar farms – but the successful agistment of these sheep here at Rugby Run is proving that the two industries aren’t mutually exclusive.”

Adani Renewables Australia is part of the Adani Group, which in 2020 was recognised as the world’s largest multi-national solar company with 25GW of operating, installed and committed capacity. We remain on track to be the world’s largest renewables company by 2030 with a portfolio including solar and wind generation and a solar panel manufacturing business in India.

Editors notes:

Adani’s Rugby Run solar farm is located near Moranbah in central Queensland. It is Adani Renewables Australia’s first solar farm and achieved mechanical completion in November 2018, with more than 247,000 solar panels installed.

At the peak of construction, the project generated more than 175 jobs, with local Queensland contractors sourced from Clermont, Chinchilla, Bowen and Townsville.

Technical details:

• 3 million galvanized zip ties to be used in the stringing of electrical cables
• More than 247,000 solar panels installed
• 175 jobs at peak construction
• 18km of fence line installed
• 2km of road built to access site
• 6,500 holes pre-drilled
• The solar panels rotate to track the sun and maximize efficiency
• The solar panels are programmed to rest at an angle that withstands inclement wind and weather conditions.
• 65MW solar farm.

ENDS

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