Agrivoltaics: A Viable Solution for Land Constraints

As the demand for renewable energy grows, the land available for large-scale solar installations is becoming increasingly scarce. Agrivoltaic provides a solution by combining solar power generation with agriculture on the same plot of land. This dual use of land helps maximize land productivity while reducing constraints.

How does It work?

In this system, solar panels are installed above crop fields in a way that allows sunlight to still reach the crops underneath. The panels are elevated high enough - around 6 to 10 feet - to permit farming equipment and farm workers access to the crops. They are also designed to allow a significant portion of sunlight - around 60-80% - to pass through to the crops.

Common crops grown under solar panels include grapes, apples, peppers and other fruits and vegetables. The partial shade provided by the panels helps moderate the climate for temperature-sensitive crops. It also protects the crops from excess radiation, wind, rainfall and weeds - leading to higher crop yields in many cases compared to open-field cultivation.

Key design considerations

Proper design and installation are crucial for an agrivoltaic system to optimize crop growth and power generation simultaneously. Some important considerations include:

- Panel tilt: Panels need to be tilted at an optimum angle to balance solar energy capture and light transmission to crops below.

- Row orientation: The direction of solar panel rows impacts shading patterns on crops. East-west orientation provides more uniform shade distribution.

- Panel height: Heights of 6-10 feet allow farm machinery and harvest operations while providing necessary shade and light levels.

- Foundation: Secure foundations are needed to support panel structures through wind, snow and other weather events without disturbing crops.

- Ventilation: Adequate gaps between panels enable air circulation to mitigate excess heat buildup that could harm crops.

Research on agrivoltaic systems

Considerable research is underway around the world to better understand the interactions between solar panels and various crop types. Some notable findings include:

- Studies in Italy found no reduction and in some cases a 10-30% increase in crop yields like tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries grown under solar panel arrays compared to open fields.

- Researchers in Japan recorded 15-20% higher yields for mixed vegetable crops grown under solar panels compared to non-covered controls.

- Trials in the US on various fruits observed the shaded area under panels to have higher moisture retention, reduced weed pressure and crop stress compared to exposed outdoor farms.

Benefits

Besides making dual use of scarce farmland, agrivoltaic systems provide multiple environmental and economic advantages:

- They enable continuous food production from the same plot of land used for renewable energy generation. This preserves agricultural land that would otherwise be lost to solar farms.

- Shaded microclimates under solar panels reduce water needs for irrigation by 15-30% depending on the crop due to lower evapotranspiration rates.

- Lower temperatures under panels also reduce fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide requirements to control pests and maintain crop health.

- Income from electricity sales along with crop cultivation improves returns for farmers compared to conventional agriculture or solar power alone.

Major projects and applications

Several large-scale agrivoltaic projects have been commissioned globally to demonstrate technical and economic viability at a commercial level:

- In the Chiba prefecture in Japan, a 42-acre farm grows tomatoes, eggplants and other vegetables under solar panels producing 1.1 MW of solar power annually.

- The 1.98 MW Sunshade prototype in Davos, Switzerland is being used to test the impacts of shading patterns on different apple varieties and olive trees planted underneath.

- In France, its site covering 77 acres generates 3.1 MW of solar power while continuing to cultivate grains, legumes and pasturelands for cattle.

- California's 1.2 MW Fertile Ground project is one of the largest agrivoltaic farms in the US providing canopy for vineyards and generating carbon-free electricity.

With these successful pilots addressing real-world operational challenges, it is emerging as a practical and commercially attractive solution to maximize yields from limited land resources through sustainable solar-agricultural integration. As more multidisciplinary research substantiates agrivoltaic benefits, its adoption is expected to grow significantly worldwide.

This article outlines the core concept and major applications of it as the renewable energy industry works towards developing innovative land-use strategies that balance power generation with continued food and agriculture production into the future. By designing optimized solar panel setups compatible with diverse crops, this promising technology supports both energy and food security as constraints on available land intensify globally.

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About Author:

Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)