# Solar project gives ray of hope to struggling Australian grape growers

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/10/solar-project-gives-ray-of-hope-to-struggling-australian-grape-growers/
- Published: 2019-10-01T23:09:10-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

**For starters, here’s another example of RENEWABLE energy winning the day. So a
project in Australia’s largest grape growing region. It is giving struggling vignerons
a sunny alternative.**

Therefore, an electrical services company in South Australia’s Riverland built dozens
of community-owned solar farms. Then they therefore sell the energy on Australia’s
volatile spot market.

The Riverland is about 250km east of the South Australian capital Adelaide and stretches
for 120km along the banks of Australia’s biggest river, the Murray.

[⌊A solar project for grape growers in Australia ⌉⌊A solar project for grape growers
in Australia ⌉[

Renmark–based Yates Electrical Services began its Red Mud project this year and 
has been running a 180kw test site for about three months.

The project ultimately aims to work with landowners to set up 100kw-200kw solar 
farms and sell the energy to the national electricity grid through the spot market.

Managing Director Mark Yates said under the Red Mud project, landowners could lease
their land to be used for a solar farm. Then they can lease the land and buy into
a portion of the farm. As well as choose to own the entire solar farm outright.

He said the test site had shown that a 10 per cent return on investment per year
was achievable.

> _“Red Mud is something that we dreamt up to be a lot more scalable to people locally.
> That’s as opposed to big superannuation funds or merchant [banks](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/03/adb-banks-geothermal-project-in-north-sumatra/)
> investing in massive projects,” Yates said._
> _“So Effectively with Red Mud everything the site generates in the form of energy
> is sellable. As well as Large Generation Certificates are retained locally in 
> the community.”_

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
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