Renewable Energy Conference| Photos

Convenor of the event Karin Stark noted on-farm renewables are a valuable opportunity for farmers to cut costs and emissions.

"Over 320 farmers, peak bodies, industry and Government representatives gathered in Dubbo for the second annual National Renewables in Agriculture Conference and Expo," Ms Stark said.

"The numbers have grown since the first event in 2019, and that's despite Covid hanging over our heads.

"It's fantastic to see in level of interest in the topic of renewables in agriculture and I really believe there is so much potential for farmers in this space."

During the conference 38 speakers covered topics from solar irrigation, bioenergy from straw and piggeries, microgrid opportunities with dairies, green hydrogen and electric utes.

There were also 25 credible Exhibitors able to talk through renewable energy options for farmers and how reducing costs can build resilience.

"We had a large scale renewables session, given we in Dubbo are in the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone," Ms Stark said.

"It's so important for landholders and the community to be thinking about what they want to get out of the build out we'll be seeing in the next few years and how everyone in the region can benefit, not just the landholders hosting these developments.

"On the ground, we're seeing some incredible examples of innovative farmers reducing their costs while mitigating climate change, and that gives us real cause for optimism in the sector".

Among the keynote speakers, Simon Holmes à Court an energy expert who is also a mentor at the Energy Transition Hub and has developed the openNEM data tool spoke on his work as a pioneering force in the Australian community power movement.

He was the founding chair of Hepburn Wind, the country's first community owned wind farm, and founder of Embark Australia, a non-profit consultancy helping communities share in the benefits of local renewable energy.

When he was asked about solar panel recycling, he said that the average solar panel in Australia is three years old.

"So in 20 or 30 years we will have some great recycling programs in place, one such place that has just started to recycle panels in Melbourne," he said.

"Solar farms can really continue production for 30 or 40 years."

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