Farms and remote properties now use solar panels and batteries to generate electricity. Lower bills and cleaner energy are real wins in this case. No matter how good your system looks on paper, if it is cloudy for a week, cold for a long time or your battery dies at 2 a.m.

It’s not just the things you can switch off. Cold rooms and irrigation pumps work best with a good partner behind them. That is the place where diesel generators make a difference.

Why Renewable Energy Systems Still Need a Backup

Renewables are great for saving money, but they are limited to what the weather and your battery can provide. Sometimes the demand is high when there are lots of clouds and storms and shorter days in the winter.

Batteries are fine, but they only have so much charge. Once they are drained, the property can only use a weak grid or nothing. That gap is filled by a reliable backup generator. When generation drops below a certain point and the battery dies, it kicks in to keep essential loads running.

The stakes are reasonable for farms. Animals need to breathe, milk needs to be cooled, cold storage needs to be installed, and water needs to be pumped.

Why Diesel Generators Are the Right Match

Diesel provides more than 80% of on-farm energy in Australia, according to NSW DPIRD, and it’s an ideal fuel for a hybrid system for several reasons.

Consistent Results Regardless of the Weather

Diesel generators don’t need wind, sun, or a reliable power grid to run. With fuel in the tank, you get power when you want it, rather than a system that is dependent on the weather.

Strength for heavy starting

Pumps, augers, compressors and welders consume a lot of power on start-up. Diesel generators can handle this kind of heavy load, provided that they are the right size.

Longer Run Times on Less Fuel

Diesel has a higher energy density than petrol, so one tank lasts longer. For homes that are a long way from a fuel depot, that means fewer trips to refuel during a long outage.

Built for Long, Demanding Hours

Most people believe diesel engines last longer than petrol engines in regular use. This matters when the power is out for days, not hours.

How Diesel and Renewables Work Together

Assume that it is a team, rather than a rivalry. Solar panels and batteries provide the everyday power, with diesel to fill the gaps.

A hybrid system doesn’t use much fuel, because the solar and storage keep the house powered most of the time. When the batteries run low or the power fails, the generator kicks in. It can also recharge the batteries. This allows operations to continue during periods of low power generation and prevents the batteries from discharging too quickly.

Typical applications on the farm include:

• Water pumping and irrigation: Make sure to irrigate crops regularly even if there is a power outage.
• Animal housing: automatic feeders, heating, ventilation and lighting.
• Cold storage and dairy: preventing the spoilage of perishables like milk.
• Workshop and machinery sheds: operating power tools, compressors, and welders in areas with restricted grid access.

How to Select the Proper Generator for Your Home

Diesel is important, but so is making sure you get the right size. If you make it too small, it will wear out quickly if you use it a lot, and if you make it too large, it will waste fuel. First, work out how much electricity you need in kW. Pay particular note to the surge power that motors and pumps need to start up.

It is time to listen to what the experts say. Able Power matches diesel generators to the actual load of property owners, whether they need a unit that works with solar and batteries or one that works on its own.

Summary

Renewables are a good investment, but not the only part of the solution. Diesel generators are the reliable backup power that solar and battery systems need to keep things like irrigation, livestock and cold storage running when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

FAQs

Do I still need a diesel generator if I have solar and batteries?

If you can’t afford downtime for your business, then yes. Solar and battery systems depend on weather and stored power levels. A diesel generator gives you power when you need it.

How long can a diesel generator run?

When maintained properly and fuelled correctly, diesel generators can run for long periods of time. This is why they are good for long power outages. Actual run time depends on the model, load and amount of fuel you have.

What generator do I need for my farm?

Depends on what you have to run (Start-up surges, etc.) The size should depend on the amount of weight it has to hold, not the size of the property.