Can we solve both the need for food and energy by putting solar panels on farms?

Agrivoltaics brings together farming and solar energy in a new way. It lets land work for both growing food and making solar power. By placing solar panels where crops are grown, it helps with energy needs and keeps our food supply steady. This mix not only uses less farmable land but also moves us towards using more green energy.

Since 2018, the world’s solar power has doubled, hitting one Terawatt in April 2022¹. The need to make the most of our farming land has never been more urgent. The Food and Agriculture Organization says the amount of land we farm has stayed about the same since the early 2000s¹. So, finding ways to use this land better is a must. Agrivoltaics isn’t just a fancy idea. It’s an important step in making farming better for the planet.

Key Takeaways

• Agrivoltaics uses land for crops and solar power, helping with food and energy needs.
• The world’s solar power has grown fast, offering more chances to use solar panels on farmland¹.
• Putting solar panels on farms can make land use smarter and increase profits¹.
• It can also cool the ground and reduce water loss, helping soil in dry places¹.
• With farming land being used a lot since the early 2000s, we really need efficient farming techniques like agrivoltaics¹.

Introduction to Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics is a smart mix of farming with solar power. It puts crops together with solar panels. This way, the land does twice the work. It’s good for the earth, it makes farming better, and helps reach clean energy goals.

Definition and Significance

Placing solar panels over fields helps them use space well. They still get enough sun to grow up to 60% as they would in the open². This shows that using land for both solar panels and crops doesn’t hurt how much farmers can grow. It lets farmers make money from solar power without losing crops.

The Growing Need for Agrivoltaics

As the world needs more clean energy and better farming, agrivoltaics is becoming key. Solar power in the U.S. is set to grow a lot by 2030². President Biden wants all electricity to be clean by 2035, which means the solar industry has to get much bigger². Also, the University of Arizona has found that this method works well in dry areas². It’s clear that farming and solar power together can do a lot for our future needs and the planet.

By 2021, over 14 GWp of agrivoltaics was set up worldwide³. China and Japan have been at the forefront of this tech³. People in the U.S. are liking this mix of farming and solar power more and more⁴. This shows that blending farming with solar energy is vital for a better, greener tomorrow.

The Concept of Dual-Use Solar

Dual-use solar is a great idea that blends farming with solar power. It works by using the area under solar panels for growing crops. The plants cool the solar panels, which makes them work better. This setup allows us to use land smarter, especially where space is tight. It helps grow solar power without taking away from farm land.

Combining Agriculture and Solar Energy

Agrivoltaic systems combine farming with solar panels and these systems have many benefits. A study from the University of Massachusetts, backed by the U.S. Department of Energy⁵, looks into how these setups help farming. The U.S. already has over 300 such projects, with a total solar power of 2.8GW⁶. With this, both farming and solar energy can grow together. For example, in the Midwest, adding native grass under solar panels boosts the number of pollinators by three times and helps store 65% more carbon⁷. So, dual-use solar has big environmental pluses.

Benefits for Land Use Efficiency

Using land for both solar power and farming saves space. The Solar Futures Study predicts solar power could hit 1 terawatt by 2035, even though it’ll just use a very small part of the U.S⁶.. This also helps save water and stops soil from washing away. For example, grass under solar panels can keep back 40 million cubic meters of water a year and stop over 9000 tons of dirt from eroding⁷. These facts show that dual-use solar not only works for power but also helps agriculture.

Solar Farming Techniques and Practices

Solar PV systems are now part of farming, creating many agrivoltaic designs. These designs meet different agricultural and energy needs. Choosing the right system means looking at what the farm wants to achieve.

Types of Agrivoltaic Systems

One common way is to grow crops under solar panels. This setup uses the land for both energy creation and growing food. In South Korea, broccoli was grown under these panels and tasted just as good⁸. It shows how well solar panels and farming can work together.

Another approach is to have solar panels on the ground for animals to graze around. These systems are designed to be friendly for farm animals. They make better use of the land and help the environment⁹.

The environment affects how we design these solar farms, too. The U.S. Department of Energy’s InSPIRE program looks at the best conditions for these farms⁹. By 2050, we could see these systems on 4 to 10 million acres in the U.S⁹. This kind of farming helps with the need for both food and clean energy¹⁰.

Benefits for Sustainable Agriculture

Agrivoltaic farming is a fresh way of doing sustainable agriculture. It combines solar panels with growing crops. This mix boosts farm efficiency in several ways. We’ll look at how it helps yield more crops, makes them hardier, and saves water.

Improved Crop Yield

In this system, farms can grow more fruits. In Arizona, a study showed farm production doubled with this method¹¹. Chiltepins grew three times more in this system than in a traditional farm¹². This success is because the solar panels shade the crops. This shading protects them from too much heat, helping plants grow better.

Enhanced Crop Resistance

Crops in these systems can handle bad weather better. By using agrivoltaics, we can cut down on harmful emissions and use land smarter¹¹. The solar panels act like a shield, boosting the plants’ toughness against different weather. This makes the crops better at handling climate changes.

Water Conservation

Agrivoltaic farming also saves a lot of water. Studies report a big jump in how efficiently water is used, up to 157% for jalapeños¹². This setup also keeps the soil wet better. It recorded 15% more soil moisture when watered every two days compared to normal farms¹². Less water evaporates, meaning we need to water the plants less. This cuts down on how much water farms use, making it more sustainable.

Combined, these benefits show how agrivoltaic farming aids sustainable agriculture. It boosts crop yield, makes plants heartier, and saves water.

Case Studies and Successful Implementations

Case studies show how agrivoltaic projects have succeeded in the U.S. Specifically, in Colorado, Massachusetts, and Maine. They prove that combining agriculture with solar power works well.

Colorado and Massachusetts Projects

Jack’s Solar Garden in Longmont, CO, is a great example. It’s a 24-acre farm with 3,200 solar panels, providing power for over 300 homes¹³. At this farm, cherry tomatoes were grown. They needed water only every few days under solar panels. This was much less than those under the sun straight¹³. In 2021, Jack’s Solar Garden hosted over 500 people. They also reached 600 more with presentations offsite. This shows a big interest in blending solar power with farming¹³.

In Massachusetts, agrivoltaics gets special support through state programs. These help farmers add solar panels to their crops. They plant pollinator crops and other plants that like shade under the panels. This improves the farm’s ability to handle the climate and is better for the environment agrivoltaic success stories¹⁴.

Maine’s Blueberry Farm Agrivoltaics

Maine is leading with blueberry solar farms. These farms blend traditional agriculture with solar power. They help increase the farm’s resilience to climate changes and its sustainability¹⁴.

Adding solar panels above the blueberries lowers the cost of setting up. It also makes the solar panels work better. And it creates more ways to earn money. Lessons from places like Korea and Europe have shown how this kind of setup can make solar panels 14% more efficient with the right technology¹⁵. Colorado, Massachusetts, and Maine are showing the big success that agrivoltaics can bring.

Challenges and Solutions in Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics shows much promise but faces various hurdles. High costs are a major issue, specifically the need for special structures. These include deeper foundations for tougher weather, which spike carbon emissions¹⁶. Such systems are much pricier than regular solar units, sometimes costing three times more¹⁶.

Deploying solar farms also runs into trouble with rules and where they can be placed. It’s tough to get the right mix between farming and generating solar power. Placing panels about 7-10 feet up helps balance sunlight and shade but takes careful planning¹⁶.

Solar energy’s growth might also harm the environment, reducing the quality of the soil. In very sunny places, using special solar panel designs can help preserve farmland¹⁷¹⁸.

There are solutions on the horizon, with studies in hot areas showing good results. In places like Kenya, agrivoltaics have increased tomato and pepper yields while using less water¹⁶. They’ve even made land more productive, boosting food and energy production without harming the environment¹⁷.

To tackle these obstacles, smart planning and new tech are key. People are working together to come up with solid plans for solar farms. These efforts aim to make agrivoltaics profitable and good for the planet¹⁷.

Potential Impact on Renewable Energy Goals

Agrivoltaics is key to achieving big renewable energy goals, like those from the Biden-Harris plan. It combines farming with making solar power. This mix can cut down on carbon in the power sector. It uses land better, a point echoed in the Solar Futures Study’s Agrivoltaic growth potential section.

Biden-Harris Administration’s Goals

The Biden-Harris team aims for zero carbon in power by 2035. Using agrivoltaics helps reach this by turning farm areas into solar zones. This means less harm to the planet and money and nature perks when farming and solar work together¹⁹. For this to work, farmers, solar folks, and community members need to work together¹⁹. This way, power plans help farms and communities as much as they help the Earth.

Solar Futures Study Insights

The Solar Futures Study shines a light on solar’s great future role in our power needs. It says solar might cover up to 40% of how much power the U.S. uses by 2035, with agrivoltaics playing a big part²⁰. When we mix solar panels with farming, we use land, water, and energy better²¹. This helps grow crops better, brings in money, and saves nature²¹. Amazingly, turning only a bit of farm land into solar farms could power a fifth of the nation²⁰. This shows how important agrivoltaics is for hitting our renewable energy targets and keeping the Earth healthy.

Economic Benefits for Farmers and Communities

Agrivoltaics mix solar power with farming, offering a bright economic future. Farmers can earn from several sources. They can sell solar power and lease land for solar use. This has led to a big increase in money going into this area. The U.S. Department of Energy put more than three times as much money in from 2021 to 2022²².

Diversified Income Streams

Farmers benefit in multiple ways from agrivoltaics. They get money from crops and solar energy. A study found these systems can boost a farmer’s yearly earnings by up to 60%. This is a big help financially²³. The USDA also shows a strong interest by investing $10 million in 2021 for research in this area²². With systems often including activities like sheep grazing, farmers have new ways to make money²².

Job Creation and Economic Uplift

Agrivoltaics also help entire communities by creating jobs. This boosts local economies, especially in rural areas. An example is the project in Montpellier, France, where solar panels over grapevines improved the grape quality and created new local jobs²³. The USDA is further supporting these efforts by investing $2.2 million in 2022. This shows a strong push to make these systems benefit rural areas²².

In summary, agrivoltaics are changing the game for farmers and communities. They offer more ways to earn and help in creating jobs. With these new, sustainable practices, the future is looking very promising for those who use them.

Source Links

1. https://agtechdigest.com/p/agrivoltaics-when-solar-power-meets – Agrivoltaics: When Solar Power Meets Agriculture
2. https://www.farm.vc/learn/what-is-agrivoltaics – Farm | An introduction to Agrivoltaics
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/agrivoltaics – Agrivoltaics – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
4. https://www.trccompanies.com/insights/agrivoltaics-a-sustainable-way-to-harvest-sunshine/ – Agrivoltaics: A Sustainable Way to Harvest Sunshine
5. https://ag.umass.edu/clean-energy/research-initiatives/dual-use-solar-agriculture – Dual-Use Solar & Agriculture
6. https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/agrivoltaics-solar-and-agriculture-co-location – Agrivoltaics: Solar and Agriculture Co-Location
7. https://www.catf.us/2024/01/dual-use-solar-help-ease-tensions-between-clean-energy-deployment-land-use/ – Dual-use solar: What it is and how it can help ease tensions between clean energy deployment and land use
8. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/07/agrivoltaic-farming-solar-energy/ – Can crops grow better under solar panels? Here’s all you need to know about ‘agrivoltaic farming’
9. https://www.nrel.gov/news/program/2022/growing-plants-power-and-partnerships.html – Growing Plants, Power, and Partnerships Through Agrivoltaics
10. http://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northeast/topic/agrivoltaics-coming-soon-farm-near-you – Agrivoltaics: Coming Soon to a Farm Near You?
11. https://www.agci.org/research-reviews/how-agrivoltaics-can-provide-more-benefits-than-agriculture-and-solar-photovoltaics-separately – How “agrivoltaics” can provide more benefits than agriculture and solar photovoltaics separately | Aspen Global Change Institute
12. https://www.nrel.gov/news/program/2019/benefits-of-agrivoltaics-across-the-food-energy-water-nexus.html – Benefits of Agrivoltaics Across the Food-Energy-Water Nexus
13. https://nonprofitquarterly.org/agrivoltaics-offer-solutions-to-simultaneous-climate-and-health-challenges/ – Agrivoltaics Offer Solutions to Simultaneous Climate and Health Challenges – Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly
14. https://ratedpower.com/blog/benefits-agrivoltaics-examples/ – Benefits of Agrivoltaics and 5 real-life examples of successful implementations — RatedPower
15. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/10/2625 – Agrivoltaic Farming Insights: A Case Study on the Cultivation and Quality of Kimchi Cabbage and Garlic
16. https://earth.org/agrivoltaics/ – The Pros and Cons of Agrivoltaics | Earth.Org
17. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy23osti/84669.pdf – Knowns, uncertainties, and challenges in agrivoltaics to sustainably intensify energy and food production
18. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/7/1934 – Agrivoltaic: Challenge and Progress
19. https://www.nrel.gov/solar/market-research-analysis/agrivoltaics.html – Agrivoltaics
20. http://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northwest/topic/agrivoltaics-pairing-solar-power-and-agriculture-northwest – Agrivoltaics: Pairing Solar Power and Agriculture in the Northwest
21. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.932018 – Frontiers | Opportunities for agrivoltaic systems to achieve synergistic food-energy-environmental needs and address sustainability goals
22. https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2024/april/common-ground-for-agriculture-and-solar-energy-federal-funding-supports-research-and-development-in-agrivoltaics/ – USDA ERS – Common Ground for Agriculture and Solar Energy: Federal Funding Supports Research and Development in Agrivoltaics
23. https://ubigro.com/agrivoltaics-making-the-most-of-sunlight-for-electricity-and-agriculture/ – Agrivoltaics Farming: Benefits of Sustainability | UbiGro