UNE’s Dr Eric Nordberg was joined by International solar farm biodiversity expert Dr Joshua Ennen (Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute – REWI (USA)) and a panel of local experts recently hosted a public forum at NOVA, Armidale’s Smart Region Incubator, exploring the intersection of solar energy, agriculture and biodiversity.

Discussions focused on designing solar farms to support shared land uses, integrating perennial pasture grasses, and balancing energy production with conservation and cultural land management.

Dr Ennen emphasised the importance of collaboration, stating, “We understand that renewable energy is often politically motivated and tricky to navigate, so we recommend collaboration early and often.”

Dr Nordberg highlighted the value of learning from global practice to inform local solutions, noting, “This is a unique opportunity to learn from international experience and shape the future of solar development in our region.”

The event highlighted the need for ongoing research, policy development and stakeholder engagement to ensure solar farms deliver positive outcomes for both energy, landholders and the environment.