Solar Farms

Solar Farms - ACT, S.A. & Qld

Generating income from a farm can be tough. For the man on the land in the ACT, South Australia and Queensland, the 21st century has brought additional challenges in maintaining traditional farming revenue streams.

If you're looking for new ways of creating income from your farming activities, consider an investment in turning a small slice of your property into a solar farm! Farmers across South Australia, Queensland and the ACT are switching on to solar power as a way of generating stable income by harnessing the energy of the sun.

Interested? email us today for further details!

A farming opportunity with low maintenance and overheads

A solar farm has none of the labour intensive nature and ongoing overheads of traditional farming.

No water is needed, no herbicides or pesticides, no vet bills, early morning starts or late night paddock checks. You'll be making money from something that is often the enemy of farming in ACT, South Australia and Queensland — the sun! You'll also be able to provide your own farm with clean, renewable power. (Note: under the Queensland tariff scheme, farm electricity consumption is limited to 100 megawatt hours a year)

There's next to no maintenance involved — the sun does all the hard work for you; making you money while leaving you free to do other things. Solar farming can easily integrate with your farm's current activities — all you'll need is under an acre of land or 500 square meters of North facing roof area.

The financial benefits of a solar farm:

• The maximum system size is 10kW per phase - that means a system as large as 30kW is still eligible for the Queensland and South Australia 44c per kilowatt hour net feed in program if a three-phase connection is available!
• The ACT program, due to be rolled out on March 1, 2009 is a gross feed in tariff paying 50.05c/kWh for systems up to 10kw capacity and 40.04c/kWh for up to 30kW capacity, with a system capacity cap at this point of 30kW. The system cap may also be increased later in 2009.
• Income of approximately $35K per annum from solar farming is possible in Queensland; based on 6 peak sun hours a day. In South Australia, based on 4.4 peak sun hours on average per day, this equates to approximately a $35K per annum return on a 30kW system if exporting energy to a retailer such as TruEnergy who are offering 64c per kilowatt feed in tariff.
• Income from solar power generation is guaranteed in both states until 2028 - guaranteed income over such a long period for any farming activity in the ACT, South Australia or Queensland is such a rare opportunity!
• ABN holders will be able to claim depreciation and GST credit, plus you could also be eligible for an $8000 government rebate on solar power equipment under the current SHCP program, or $7,500 under the new solar credits program to begin in July 2009!
• Lifeline Energy can negotiate the acquisition of any RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) that accompany the purchase of equipment as a point of sale discount. This can translate to up to $25,000 in additional savings!

A solar farm is a great return on investment, particularly considering the low maintenance involved and the reassurance of guaranteed income! Additionally, components in a grid connected solar farm have no moving parts and the solar panels have an output guarantee of 25 years.

By installing solar farm equipment, you'll also considerably boost the value of your property — it's a great selling point should you decide to sell your farm in the future!

Learn more about becoming a sun farmer — email us for further details.

The environmental benefits of sun farming

By installing a grid connected solar power system on your property, you'll not only providing your own farm with renewable energy, but any surplus will be fed into the mains grid, distributing clean electricity to the people of the ACT, South Australia and Queensland! Your sun farm will be playing a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

Unlike many other traditional farm activities, sun farming is truly environmentally friendly!