Case Studies

This project summary outlines the CRDC-funded Climate and energy for cotton farming businesses project, run by CottonInfo's Jon Welsh and economist Janine Powell from 2017-2020. 

This analysis determines the economic feasibility of installing solar energy to assist in reducing electricity consumption for irrigation bores. Each case study is characterised by electricity consumption on different scales; one irrigator on a NSW residential tariff and the other irrigator on a NSW industrial demand tariff. Analysis of hypothetical scenarios also show the key drivers of project returns and payback periods.

The installation of a solar diesel hybrid irrigation bore pump on a Central West NSW farm has led to big cuts in fuel costs, greater irrigation efficiencies and a massive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Attracted by the drop in the price of solar panels in recent years and the prospect of the system paying for itself in less than four years, Andrew Gill and his family decided to install a solar diesel hybrid system at one of the pump sites on their Narromine farm. 

The Focus on NRM research series introduces you to the key cotton NRM researchers and their work.

The Focus on NRM research series introduces you to the key cotton NRM researchers and their work.

The Focus on NRM research series introduces you to the key cotton NRM researchers and their work.

The Focus on NRM research series introduces you to the key cotton NRM researchers and their work.

The Focus on NRM research series introduces you to the key cotton NRM researchers and their work.

The Focus on NRM research series introduces you to the key cotton NRM researchers and their work.

The Focus on NRM research series introduces you to the key cotton NRM researchers and their work.