Solar farm threat to Goulburn Valley orchards

GOULBURN Valley fruit growers are calling for solar farms to be located away from orchards and other irrigated properties, in the midst of growing evidence the large banks of solar panels act as massive heat sinks.

Concern that solar farms act as massive heat sinks and so should
be kept well clear of orchards and irrigated properties in the GV.

An article published in the science journal Nature has reported solar industrial developments act as heat banks, raising surrounding temperatures by 3-4C.

The US team behind the research found that not only do solar farms increase daytime temperatures, but they acted as heat sinks that delay cooling at night across all seasons.

Read Peter Hunt’s Weekly Times story - “Solar farm threat to Goulburn Valley orchards.”