In a submission to state guidelines on large-scale facilities, the group wrote their area had been targeted for development.

"We are not opposed to the development of solar farms in our region, if done well.

"We view solar farms as a potential way to diversify income on our farms. Nevertheless, we are concerned about the potential thermal and radiative impacts of solar farms on neighbouring farmland."

They suggested the plans "be revised to include guidance on appropriate buffer distances for all components of a solar farm" in reference to electromagnetic radiation.

The draft stated that the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) advise the strength of electromagnetic fields "will decrease with distance from the source and become indistinguishable from background radiation within 50 metres for high-voltage power lines and within 5 to 10 metres of substations".

The final document was unchanged in relation to radiation, but a 30-metre buffer from the solar farm was added for horticultural properties to take into account the 'PV heat island effect'.

The guidelines state there are few studies on the topic, but "those that exist acknowledge the potential for ambient air temperatures within the perimeter of a solar energy facility to potentially increase by three to four degrees" which dissipates within a short distance.

The Barnawartha landowners' recommendations to require planners to "implement an independent monitoring program on surrounding land", and apply a precautionary principle "given the lack of research on the temperature impacts of solar farms on surrounding land" were not included in the guidelines.

"A review of publications on Google Scholar reveals that there have been very few empirical studies conducted across the globe that have examined the impacts of solar farms on temperature in surrounding areas," they said.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"The only empirical study that could be found ... noted that "there is a remarkable lack of data as to whether or not the PVHI [PhotoVoltaic Heat Island] effect is real or simply an issue associated with perceptions of environmental change caused by the installations that lead to "not in my backyard" (NIMBY) thinking.

"The study concluded that there were indications of a PVHI effect, but it was not possible to conclude whether this impact extended to surrounding land".

There were 54 public submissions to the draft plans.

The Indigo Shire Environmental Advisory Committee put that community engagement should not just be recommended, but mandatory, while the North East Catchment Management Authority raised "there is no recognition of the potential for solar developments to impact on floodplain flows and site runoff".

The final guidelines state a solar energy facility should not lead to the loss of productive, state-significant agricultural land, or to increased exposure of the area to fire or flood.

It goes further to say facilities should be located on land that does not need excessive earthworks to be suitable, is "a sufficient distance from existing urban areas" and without ready access to main roads.

The guideline will come into effect by a future amendment to the Victoria Planning Provisions.

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