Is Agrivoltaics The Future Of Farming?

The concept of agrivoltaics dates back to the early 1980s when German physicist Adolf Goetzberger first proposed combining agriculture and solar energy production to address land scarcity, food security, and increasing energy demand.

Over the years, agrivoltaics has evolved into a promising solution that addresses various global challenges while offering significant benefits to agriculture, such as increased land use efficiency and water savings.

The Origins and Evolution of Agrivoltaics from Adolf Goetzberger’s Vision

The origins of agrivoltaics can be traced back to the early 1980s when concerns about land scarcity, food security, and increasing energy demand started to gain prominence. At the time, solar energy emerged as a viable alternative to conventional fossil fuels. As a result, scientists were exploring innovative ways to integrate renewable energy production with traditional land use practices. Adolf Goetzberger, a German physicist and solar energy pioneer, was among the first to propose combining agriculture with solar energy generation, thus giving birth to agrivoltaics in its 1981 paper published in the International Journal of Solar Energy with Armin Zastrow.

Agrivoltaics, also known as agro photovoltaics or solar sharing, was conceived as a solution to the dual challenge of producing sufficient food and energy for a rapidly growing global population while preserving the planet’s limited resources. Goetzberger envisioned that integrating solar panels with agricultural land could lead to better land utilization, increased efficiency in energy production, and minimal disruption to agricultural activities. As a result, research and experimentation in agrivoltaics began to gain traction, leading to the development of various configurations and approaches that maximized the benefits of combining food production with renewable energy generation. Over the years, agrivoltaics has evolved into a promising solution that addresses the pressing issues of land scarcity, food security, and climate change, with its roots firmly grounded in the visionary work of Adolf Goetzberger.

According to Adolf Goetzberger’s work, several essential criteria must be considered before classifying a system as agrivoltaics:

1. There must be a seamless integration of solar energy production with agricultural activities, ensuring neither is compromised.
2. The configuration should optimize land use efficiency by maximizing food production and energy generation within the same area.
3. The system should prioritize sustainability, minimizing environmental impacts, such as soil degradation, water consumption, and biodiversity loss.
4. The agrivoltaic system should demonstrate a synergistic effect between agriculture and solar energy production, providing benefits beyond each component’s outputs.

The Impressive Growth The Solution Witnessed Over The Years

As the demand for renewable energy and sustainable land use practices increases, the correlation between the expansion of photovoltaics and agrivoltaics becomes more evident. For example, global solar capacity doubled in 3 years from 2018, bringing the world’s solar fleet to one Terawatt capacity in April 2022, according to SolarPower Europe, showcasing the rapid adoption of photovoltaic technology. On the other hand, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights that global agricultural land has remained relatively constant at around 4.9 billion hectares since the early 2000s, emphasizing the challenge of efficiently utilizing available land resources.

Agrivoltaics offers a potential solution to this challenge, combining solar energy generation and agriculture on the same land. While comprehensive global data on agrivoltaic installations is limited, numerous pilot projects and research studies worldwide have demonstrated the potential benefits and synergies of such systems. For instance, a 2018 study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Germany reported a 60% increase in land use efficiency by combining solar panels with crop cultivation. These findings, coupled with the growing interest from governments and stakeholders, indicate a positive correlation between the expansion of photovoltaics and the adoption of agrivoltaic practices. However, it’s important to note that the scale and impact of agrivoltaics will vary across different regions and contexts.

Solar and energy companies have increasingly recognized the value of partnering with farmers to utilize agricultural land for solar installations, often offering them higher revenue per acre than traditional farming practices generate. This additional income can attract farmers, who may face volatile commodity prices, unpredictable weather, and challenging market conditions. By leasing their land to solar companies to install photovoltaic panels, farmers can secure a stable, long-term income stream that is less susceptible to the risks associated with agricultural production. Solar developers often enter into long-term lease agreements, offering farmers a fixed rate per acre or a percentage of the revenue generated from solar installation. This financial incentive benefits the farmers by supplementing their income, supporting renewable energy growth, and contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.

For example, Energy News US published an article in 2017 stating how companies such as Strata Solar would lease land from the farmer and pay anywhere between $700 to $1100 per acre per year, which often represented two to three times more than what the farmer would generate from selling wheat or soybeans spiking ethical concerns on how farmers may want to focus more on yielding passive income.

Here are the most recent developments in the field of Agrivoltaics:

TotalEnergies Acquires France’s Agrivoltaics Leader Ombrea: TotalEnergies, a French multinational integrated oil and gas company, has recently acquired Ombrea, France’s leading agrivoltaics company. The company was founded in 2016 and specializes in maximizing the synergy between agricultural production and green electricity generation. This acquisition will boost TotalEnergies’ agrivoltaics development both in domestic and international markets. TotalEnergies aims to develop its 1.5 GW of agrivoltaic projects under the French Renewable Energy Acceleration Law, and this move will help them achieve their goal. The Aix-en-Provence site will serve as TotalEnergies’ global hub for agrivoltaics, integrating Ombrea’s team and founders.

iSun and Next2Sun Launch Vertical Agrivoltaics in Vermont: iSun, Inc. and Next2Sun Mounting Systems GmbH are partnering to bring Next2Sun’s vertical agrivoltaics system to the United States. The first project will be in Vermont, starting in early 2024. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action supports the project.

EU Approves €1.7 Billion Italian Agrivoltaic Scheme: The European Commission has granted approval to Italy for a €1.7 billion scheme, in accordance with EU State aid regulations, to support agrivoltaic installations that align with the objectives of the EU Green Deal. The scheme, which is partially funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), aims to install agrivoltaic systems with a total capacity of 1.04 GW, producing at least 1300 GWh/year. Agrivoltaics is a dual land-use approach that combines photovoltaic energy production with agricultural activities, promoting efficient land use. The aid package includes €1.1 billion in investment grants and €560 million in incentive tariffs, which will be awarded through a competitive bidding process. The Commission approved the scheme based on its compliance with EU State aid regulations and its contribution to environmental and renewable energy targets.

BlueWave Secures $91M Financing to Advance Agrivoltaic Solar Projects: BlueWave, a prominent solar developer in the Northeast U.S., has announced a significant financing milestone that will bolster its long-term ownership and management of an expanding portfolio. The company has secured $91 million in financing, comprising a $64 million debt raise with KeyBank and a $27 million tax equity raise with U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance. The funds will be allocated for the construction and long-term financing of five agrivoltaic projects in Massachusetts.

Eko Agro Group Announced MoU To Develop 35 Agrivoltaic Sites in Italy: Eko Agro Group (EAG) has signed a preliminary agreement (MoU) with RWE Renewables Italia to develop 35 Agrivoltaic (APV) sites across several regions in Italy. The sites will cover thousands of hectares of agricultural land and are expected to generate up to 700MW/h of clean energy. This collaboration will create an operational structure based on the EAG model to develop APV sites in suitable areas belonging to RheAura’s associates. The agreement marks a significant step for EAG in achieving its goal of promoting sustainable agriculture practices on a large scale and is a positive sign for investors seeking certified and financed business models in this space.

RWE Launches Innovative Agri-PV Plant in Germany: RWE’s Agri-PV plant has recently begun supplying green electricity in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The construction of this plant took only five months, and it is situated on seven hectares of recultivated land near the Garzweiler opencast mine. The main goal of this initiative is to explore the coexistence of solar power generation and agriculture. In order to achieve this, the project involves three unique Agri-PV configurations for diverse crop cultivation. The project is being supported by two research institutes and is part of the progres.nrw climate and energy transition program.

Balancing Land Use Concerns & Benefits of Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics offers a unique approach to addressing the increasing global demand for renewable energy and food production. However, some concerns must be considered to present a balanced view of this innovative land use practice. One of the main concerns is the potential impact on agricultural productivity (Mamun et al., 2022). While research has demonstrated that certain crops can benefit from partial shading provided by solar panels, the effects on overall crop yield may vary based on crop type, panel configuration, and regional climate (Dinesh and Pearce, 2016). As such, assessing these variables on a case-by-case basis is essential to ensure that agrivoltaic systems do not negatively impact agricultural output.

Another concern relates to the potential environmental impacts of large-scale agrivoltaic installations. Introducing solar panels into agricultural landscapes may disrupt ecosystems, alter the natural habitats of various species, and impact soil quality. However, it is essential to note that these potential consequences can be mitigated through careful planning, site selection, and adopting the best solar panel installation and land management practices. By considering the environmental impacts and conducting thorough research, stakeholders can work together to create agrivoltaic systems that balance the need for renewable energy generation and agricultural land use in a sustainable manner.

A notable benefit of agrivoltaics is its impact on crop growth and water usage. Research has shown that partial shading provided by solar panels can help some crops grow more efficiently under certain conditions. For example, a study conducted in 2019 by the University of Arizona found that certain crops like tomatoes, chiltepin peppers, and jalapenos showed higher fruit yield and water use efficiency under agrivoltaic systems compared to traditional open-field cultivation. The shading from the solar panels reduced evapotranspiration rates, helping plants retain moisture and reducing water requirements. This is particularly beneficial in arid regions or areas where water scarcity is a concern, as it contributes to more sustainable agricultural practices and improved resource management.

Overcoming The Limitations Of Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries for storing solar energy have become increasingly popular due to their high energy density, long cycle life, and declining production costs. However, a critical analysis of lithium battery technology reveals some concerns and challenges that need to be considered alongside their undeniable benefits.

One significant concern with lithium batteries is sourcing raw materials required for production. Lithium and other metals such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese are necessary for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries. However, the extraction of these metals raises environmental and social issues, as the mining process can lead to habitat destruction, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions (Flexer, Baspineiro and Galli, 2018). Moreover, some regions where these minerals are abundant, particularly cobalt, have been linked to unethical labor practices and human rights violations (Sovacool, 2021). To address these concerns, efforts are being made to develop more sustainable mining practices, increase the recycling of lithium batteries, and explore alternative chemistries that reduce the reliance on these scarce resources.

Another issue with lithium batteries is their inherent safety risks. Lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to thermal runaway, a chain reaction that can lead to overheating and, in some cases, fires or explosions (Wang et al., 2012). This risk is usually mitigated by incorporating safety features such as thermal and battery management systems. However, high-profile incidents involving lithium battery fires in electric vehicles and consumer electronics have raised concerns about their safety. As a result, researchers are actively working on improving the safety of lithium batteries by developing new materials, designs, and chemistries that minimize the risk of thermal runaway.

Finally, the disposal and recycling of lithium batteries present additional challenges. As the adoption of solar energy storage and electric vehicles expands, the number of spent lithium batteries will increase accordingly. Currently, only a tiny fraction of lithium batteries are recycled, with the majority ending up in landfills or incinerated, which can result in environmental pollution and the loss of valuable materials (Swain, 2017). To address this issue, it is crucial to establish efficient recycling processes and infrastructure and encourage regulatory policies that promote the responsible disposal and recycling of lithium batteries.