As the popularity of renewable energy continues to grow, more and more options have become available.
Choosing the right one to best suit an operation is paramount to its success.
Ag-Murf works with growers and producers to provide the best energy solution for their needs.
Ag-Murf principle Allan Murphy believes his solar farm packs are the renewable energy solution for farmers.
"Our solar farm packs utilise the 5B solar 'prefabricated, quick deploy' system which is an Australian product, manufactured in Sydney and Adelaide," Mr Murphy said.
"The system was developed by two Aussies with a renewable energy background - Eden Tehan and Chris McGrath.
"The MAVs, the 5B terminology for their prefabricated modules which are usually approximately 10kW each depending on the panels used, are built in the factory and then trucked to the site.
"An 85kW system can be completed in less than two days on site!"
Mr Murphy said Ag-Murf is one of the very few trained, experienced and accredited 5B partners.
"I have installed them across Australia including remote NT and SA sites, and am the authorised sales and deployment dealer for NSW," he said.
"I have worked on several of the large solar projects, and from this have formulated the 'farm pack' size.
"This size, normally 85Kw depending on actual panels, navigates through all the approvals to arrive at a substantial capacity that can afford a sound return as a standalone investment, with the returns/savings further extended if there are other loads such as houses, irrigation pumps, and intensive livestock production just to name a few.
"These systems are particularly well suited to rural and farm installations (dryland or irrigation) and are cost effective!"
One such enterprise is Polldale, Ned and Katja Williams' 810 hectare property 20km north of Dubbo.
The fourth generation working Polldale, Ned and Katja run a Short Horn stud and commercial enterprise, and irrigate pastures using Dubbo Council sewage effluence.
"We saw possible benefits to cut our long term power costs," Mr Williams said.
"Our main usage comes from the irrigation centre pivot, the two houses on the property, and the bore pumps.
"We will cut our power costs and expect somewhere in the region of a 10 per cent return on investment per annum.
"It was not economical to put solar power at all the sites so we have one bigger system, producing a lot more power than we use.
“Our scheme, with the STC rebate deducted, cost us $73,000 (excl GST) and the electrical connection, which included a major upgrade to our general power supply (which it needed anyway), cost in the order of $45,000.
"We will still get several power bills, but will be around $8,000 per year in front.
"Using recycled sewage effluent water and implementing this system reduces our environmental footprint which is important."
