A 3,600Ha central Queensland beef cattle farm producing 600 head of cattle, 250t wheat, 100t mung beans, 50t chickpeas and 80t of sorghum has the potential to cover the annual energy consumed from pumping with the implementation of solar PV.
Energy Savers
Farm Profile
The auditor compared two options for powering a stock watering pump. The pump provides water from a dam to a system of 5 holding tanks which then gravity feed to a network of watering troughs. Stock water is pumped to a header tank by a 1kW single-phase grid connected pump running up to 24 hours per day. It pumps approximately 3m3/hr with an estimated total system head of 42 metres.
The Audit has made a comparison of the costs and savings of solar pumping which include the following two options:
- 2kW Solar System too offset grid power consumption during the day
- Installed with battery-ready inverter
- 6kW Solar System with 20kWh battery storage and disconnect the system from the network
- Producing 10,913 kWh per year
- Loss of load probability of 2% per year.
| Solution | 2kW Solar System | 6kW Solar system with 20kWh battery |
| Annual Energy Saving (kWh) | 871 | 1,306 |
| Estimated Cost to Implement ($) | 3,500 | 15,000 |
| Annual Cost Savings ($) | 430 | 1,253 |
| Payback (years) | 8.1 | 19 |
| Annual Emission Reductions (t CO2-e) | 0.8 | 1.21 |
The audit shows that the retrofit options have a long payback period, but when replacing a worn or damaged system, or building a new system, grid-connected solar systems may be financially viable. Off-grid battery-supported systems may prove viable as batteries reduce in costs, or where there are other matters that add value to the system, such as systems with unstable grid connections. This solution can save up to 12% of the site total electricity use, covering all the energy consumed from pumping.
This case study concentrates on the one irrigation system although the energy audit showed additional savings that could be made onsite including.
- LED Lighting Upgrade
- Installing a 6kW Solar System at the farmhouse with a payback period of 4.9 years.
An energy audit is a good investment
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If you have any energy efficiency related questions for the team get in touch at energysavers@qff.org.au.
The Energy Savers Plus Extension Program is delivered in by the Queensland Farmers Federation with support and funding from the Queensland Department of Energy and Public Works.
