SOLAR farm biodiversity expert Dr Josh Ennen from the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute in the United States will be in New England this month as part of a visiting fellowship co-ordinated by University of New England.

The visit supports collaborative research between the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute and UNE’s Renewable Energy Hub, who are investigating similar approaches in the Australian context.

On Tuesday, June 24, Dr Ennen will join UNE’s Dr Eric Nordberg for a public talk and a panel bringing together practical experience across the farming, land management and energy sectors.

“This is a unique opportunity to learn from international experience and shape the future of solar development in our region,” Dr Nordberg said.

Dr Nordberg will also provide an overview of the work he and his research team have been undertaking in regional New South Wales.

In addition to Drs Ennen and Nordberg, panellists include local farmer and solar farm grazier Richard Munsie, ecologist David Carr from Stringybark Ecological, Steve Ahoy from Iwatta Aboriginal Corporation, UNE Associate Professor Melanie Filios and Martine Holberton, who has a background in renewable energy development with companies such as Tilt Renewables and Pacific Hydro.

Hosted at NOVA, Armidale’s Smart Region Incubator and supported by Community Power Agency, the event welcomes traditional owners, industry and government representatives, farmers, researchers and community groups.

The event will explore practical strategies to enhance biodiversity and natural capital such as perennial pasture grasses under solar panels.

The event will explore how solar farms can be designed to support shared land uses.

A talk in Armidale will explore practical strategies to support shared land uses (Image: Eric Nordberg).

Presentations and panel discussions will cover key themes including designing solar farms for biodiversity, balancing energy and agricultural production with conservation, the role of cultural land management, and strategies for stakeholder and community engagement.

Speakers will also explore lessons from international practice, how they can be adapted locally, and the policy settings and research needed to support better outcomes.

Community Power Agency’s regional partnership co-ordinator Heidi McElnea is looking forward to facilitating the discussion on how work can be achieved collaboratively to set a new standard for shared land use on solar projects.

“This event brings together those with expertise in ecology, energy, farming and cultural land management, to build knowledge and work collaboratively to design better solar projects,” Ms McElnea said.

“We are incredibly lucky to be able to gain insights from Dr Ennen’s international experience and consider what we can implement here in regional New South Wales.”

For more information on the event and to RSVP, please visit Enhancing Biodiversity on Solar Farms.

Enhancing biodiversity on solar farms

When: Tuesday, June 24, 2025

In-person Event: NOVA, 122 Faulkner St, Armidale

Time: 2pm to 5pm

RSVP: Enhancing Biodiversity on Solar Farms

Online Event Location: Virtual-online attendance via webinar link will be possible for those unable to attend in person. This webinar link will be provided closer to the event date.