Supporting Local, Sustainably
Australia’s roadside stalls are more than just charming weekend detours—they’re lifelines for local growers, seasonal producers, and honest country living. But in 2025, they’re also becoming something else: solar-powered success stories.
From the banana growers of Coffs to the honey sellers in the Hinterland, solar energy is helping small-scale farmers slash their bills and protect their produce, all while reducing their carbon footprint.
Showing The Way: Forest Lodge Orchard
The Forest Lodge Orchid in NZ has become famous as the world’s first fully-electric farm. Mike Casey is busy on social media expounding the benefits of solar and proudly boasts that they don’t burn a single drop of diesel on their farm.
Why Solar Makes Sense for Roadside Sellers
Running a farm stall isn’t just about fresh veggies and friendly smiles—there’s real infrastructure involved. Think:
Fridges to keep produce crisp
Lights for early morning setups
Water pumps for irrigation
Security cameras to discourage theft
Traditionally, these systems would rely on expensive grid power or fuel-hungry generators—especially in remote or off-grid locations. But with solar, stallholders are taking control of their energy costs and their environmental impact.
Industry Insight: A basic 6.6kW solar system can offset around $1,200–$2,000 of annual electricity costs. For a farm stall, that could mean an extra cold room or advertising budget (by which we mean social media of course, boosts on Insta can do wonders).
Solar Rebates Help Farmers Save Big
Thanks to the Federal Government’s Solar Battery Rebate, now’s the perfect time for farmers and stallholders to go green. The rebate can shave thousands off the upfront cost of installing solar and battery systems—especially for regional businesses.
👉 Learn more about the Federal Government Solar Battery Rebate and how much you could save.
Solar is the Future of Fresh
For stallholders, customers, and communities, solar isn’t just a good idea—it’s the future. It keeps food fresh, lights bright, and profits protected.
Plus, customers increasingly care where their food comes from—and how it’s grown. Seeing a solar panel on the shed roof isn’t just impressive, it’s persuasive.
