Brighter future available for farmers with cheaper solar power

The future is looking bright for farmers with cheaper solar power on display at Fieldays this year.

Company Lister Petter is showing off its solar panel technology, improving the cost and the way water can be pumped.

“Take power to the water rather than water to the power” says Paul McGovern, Lister Petter regional manager.

McGovern says the units are cheaper than they used to be, and they’re coming down in price.”

For $10,000 you get the solar panel, the pump, inverter and mounting frame.

“The mounting frame nearly costs as much as the panel,” says McGovern, pointing out how cheap the panels are becoming.

Over time a solar panel becomes a great investment, as the power is free from the sun.

Farmers don’t have to worry about connecting an isolated patch on land on an island or hilltop to the national power grid.

Solar panels point north to collect the maximum amount of sun and create a cheaper and greener alternative to diesel pumps.

With much of the country still recovering from drought easier and cheaper water is proving popular among dry stock and dairy farmers who need plenty of water for milking cows.