Smart solar panels bear fruit at Tatura

Scientists will try to determine if the shade has a beneficial or deliterious effect on the fruit.

The first of the frames holding the photovoltaic cells went up only in the past few weeks.

Sensors monitor the fruit's surface temperature and the trees’ moisture transpiration.

Research leader Ian Godwin said fruit required a certain amount of sunlight to bring out the colour in the skin, but too much at the wrong time of fruit development could burn and discolour the fruit.

The steel framework holding the solar cells is in the shape of the Tatura trellis system, so on a greenfield site the frame could be adapted to form the trellis to train the limbs to.

Each of the six, 90 sq m trials will generate enough power to run the equivalent of six homes. The research centre is using the power generated to run an irrigation pump and some electrical equipment in a nearby shed. Excess power can be exported to the grid or stored in batteries.

Ms Thomas said the trial was funded under the new SmartFarm program, under which scientists and technicians develop and demonstrate new applications of technology to achieve increases in marketable yield.

Ms Thomas also visited SPC, Tatura Milk and Goulburn-Murray Water.