Bass Coast's agricultural sector — dairy, beef, horticulture, and mixed farming across the Shire — faces some of the highest energy costs per hectare in regional Victoria. Irrigation pumps, refrigeration, milking equipment, grain drying, and workshop loads run continuously through the growing and production seasons, generating electricity bills that can reach $30,000–$80,000 per year for mid-size operations.
Solar on a Bass Coast farm isn't a lifestyle choice — it's an operational decision. A well-designed 20–30kW system on a dairy or mixed farm in the Wonthaggi (3995) or Dalyston (3992) area can reduce electricity costs by 60–80%, with payback periods of 4–7 years depending on usage profile and whether battery storage is included. After payback, the energy is effectively free for the remaining 18–20 years of system life.
Suntech Solar Systems designs and installs agricultural solar systems across Bass Coast Shire. We understand 3-phase connections, large shed roof installations, irrigation pump loads, and the specific grid connection requirements for rural properties in the AusNet distribution area. Call 1300 786 429 for a farm energy assessment.
| Application | Typical System Size | Annual Saving Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dairy farm (milking + refrigeration) | 20–30kW | $8,000–$18,000/year | Continuous daytime load matches solar generation perfectly. |
| Mixed farm (workshop + house + irrigation) | 13.2–20kW | $5,000–$10,000/year | Shed roof installation. 3-phase connection common. |
| Irrigation pumps (seasonal) | 10–20kW | $3,000–$8,000/year | Seasonal load — battery can extend value off-peak. |
| Poultry / egg production | 20–50kW | $10,000–$25,000/year | High continuous load. Excellent solar ROI profile. |
| Horticulture / greenhouse | 10–30kW | $4,000–$12,000/year | Heating, ventilation, and lighting loads. |
| Farm shed (workshop only) | 6.6–13.2kW | $2,000–$5,000/year | Simpler installation. Good entry point for farm solar. |
Most Bass Coast farms and rural properties operate on 3-phase power connections — essential for large motors, pumps, and industrial equipment. Standard residential solar installers often lack the expertise or licensing to design and install 3-phase solar systems correctly. Suntech Solar Systems installs 3-phase solar systems as a core service, using commercial-grade 3-phase inverters (Fronius Symo, SMA Tripower, Sungrow SG series) sized to match your farm's specific load profile.
Yes — shed solar is one of our most common farm installations. A large shed roof (200–400m²) can accommodate 20–50kW of panels, generating significant energy for farm operations. We install on Colorbond, Zincalume, and older corrugated iron roofs. Call 1300 786 429 for a shed solar assessment.
Residential solar rebates (Victorian Solar Homes Program) apply to the farmhouse dwelling, not to commercial or agricultural buildings. However, all solar installations — including farm systems — are eligible for the federal SRES rebate (STCs), which significantly reduces the upfront cost. Large commercial systems (100kW+) may be eligible for the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) scheme.
Excess solar generation is exported to the grid at the feed-in tariff rate (currently 3.3–6.7c/kWh in Victoria depending on your retailer). For farms with large daytime loads, a well-sized system will have minimal export — most generation is consumed on-site. Battery storage can capture afternoon excess for evening use.
A standard farm solar installation (13.2–30kW) typically takes 2–3 days for the physical installation, plus 2–4 weeks for AusNet grid connection approval. We manage the entire approval process. For larger systems (50kW+), allow 4–8 weeks from quote to commissioning.