As California strives to meet its ambitious renewable energy targets, innovative solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are poised to play a crucial role in optimizing the power market. Vertical Bifacial East-West designs, such as those championed by Sunzaun, offer substantial benefits over traditional South-facing installations. By leveraging unique production profiles, these systems enhance market value, optimize system costs, and support agricultural integration. This article explores how Vertical Bifacial East-West solar systems can be a game-changer for California, addressing challenges like the Duck Curve and promoting sustainable energy practices.

Revenue Prospects and Market Value Advantages

Innovative solar designs, particularly Vertical Bifacial East-West configurations, provide significant market value advantages due to their unique production profiles. Unlike standard South-facing installations that peak during midday, Vertical Bifacial East-West systems capture morning and afternoon sunlight, resulting in a more balanced energy production throughout the day. This profile aligns better with peak demand periods, leading to higher profile values and substantial additional market revenues.

Despite the higher initial investment costs, the long-term benefits and additional revenues from these innovative systems ensure attractive returns. As the demand for clean energy continues to rise, the ability of Vertical Bifacial East-West designs to generate higher market value becomes increasingly critical.

System Cost Optimization and Dual-Use Potential

With the large-scale expansion of PV installations, optimizing system design and production profiles becomes essential for economically viable deployment. Vertical Bifacial East-West designs not only offer enhanced energy production but also facilitate dual land use by integrating agricultural practices. This approach, known as agrivoltaics, allows for the simultaneous cultivation of crops and solar energy generation on the same land, maximizing land use efficiency and supporting sustainable farming practices.

Agrivoltaics provides numerous benefits, including improved land productivity, enhanced crop yields due to partial shading, crop protection in some instances ( wind, hail) and diversified revenue streams for farmers. By combining agriculture and solar energy, California can address land use concerns and support the agricultural sector while advancing its renewable energy goals.

Addressing the Duck Curve Challenge

One of the significant challenges in California’s power market is the Duck Curve, a phenomenon characterized by a sharp increase in electricity demand in the late afternoon and early evening, followed by a steep drop-off in solar generation. Traditional South-facing solar systems exacerbate this issue by producing the most energy during midday, when demand is relatively low.

Vertical Bifacial East-West systems offer a solution by generating more power during the morning and afternoon, reducing the steepness of the Duck Curve. This balanced production profile helps stabilize the grid, ensuring a more reliable and efficient energy supply. By mitigating the Duck Curve, these innovative PV systems contribute to a more resilient and flexible power market.

Economic Viability and Land Lease Sensitivity

Economic viability is a crucial consideration for any PV installation. Vertical Bifacial East-West systems demonstrate higher economic viability than standard South-facing systems due to their enhanced market values and sufficient full load hours. These designs show the highest equity returns among various analyzed configurations, making them an attractive investment for stakeholders.

Moreover, innovative PV systems like Vertical Bifacial East-West designs are less sensitive to variations in land lease costs. Their larger land requirements are offset by lower module density, allowing for additional agricultural use. This dual-use capability reduces overall system costs and enhances the financial feasibility of solar projects, particularly in regions with high land lease expenses.

Conclusion: A Path to a Sustainable Future

Innovative PV system designs, especially Vertical Bifacial East-West and Steep-South configurations, offer significant advantages in terms of market value and economic returns. These designs are essential for optimizing the PV portfolio, reducing system costs, and integrating agricultural uses, thereby contributing to a cost-effective and sustainable energy system.

Sunzaun’s commitment to advancing Vertical Bifacial East-West solar technology positions it as a leader in the renewable energy sector. By harnessing the unique benefits of these innovative systems, California can achieve its renewable energy targets, support the agricultural community, and address grid stability challenges. Embracing Vertical Bifacial East-West solar designs is a strategic move towards a cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable energy future for California.

Maximizing a solar plant’s total energy generation can result in a supply and demand mismatch in regions with high PV penetration. Adding east- and west-facing vertically oriented panels to solar farms can improve a site’s energy production curve, explains Sunstall’s Philipp Kauls.

Balancing curves

The chart illustrates the benefits of combining a fixed-tilt system with an east-
west oriented Sunzaun system.

The blue curve represents the energy production from a traditional fixed-tilt system, which peaks around midday and features a sharp rise and fall in power out-put either side of that point.

By contrast, the orange curve shows the energy production from an east-west-oriented Sunzaun system, with generation starting early in the morning and continuing steadily into the evening and thus covering periods when the fixed-tilt system is less productive.

Vertical ‘add-powering’ with Sunzaun offers extended daily energy production, electricity generation during demand times, and easy integration with existing systems. – Helge Biernath, CEO of Sunstall Inc.

The green curve, which is the combined total output of both systems, demonstrates how integrating east-west-oriented Sunzaun panels with a fixed-tilt system maintains high energy production levels over a longer period. This results in more balanced and extended energy output throughout the day, maximizing productivity and profitability.

With a vertical solar system, it is possible to seamlessly retrofit existing infrastructure, leveraging current electroni components and avoiding the need for costly new investment.

“Vertical ‘add-powering,’ with Sunzaun offers extended daily energy production, electricity generation during demand times, and easy integration with existing systems,” said Helge Biernath, CEO of Sunstall. He added that these key features not only enhance overall energy production, but also ensure greater profitability and efficiency for existing fixed-tilt installations.

East-west-facing solar panels present a promising avenue for maximizing the efficiency of utility-scale solar farms. As the solar industry continues to expand globally, integrating this innovative approach has the potential to significantly enhance overall energy production. By strategically incorporating east-west panels alongside traditional south-facing systems, solar farms can generate more consistent power throughout the day, contributing to more reliable and resilient renewable energy infrastructure.

This article was originally published in the 2024 September issue of pv magazine USA.

In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, innovative solutions continually reshape how we approach farming and sustainability. One such groundbreaking development is Cow PV, a concept that merges agricultural practices with renewable energy technologies. But what exactly is Cow PV, and how does it benefit our environment and agricultural practices? Let’s dive into this exciting new trend.

What is Cow PV?

Cow PV, short for Cow Photovoltaics, is an ingenious approach to integrating solar power with traditional farming practices. This system involves placing photovoltaic panels overhead in grazing areas where cattle, horses, or donkeys are present. These panels provide much-needed shelter for the animals while they graze, enhancing their comfort and well-being. But Cow PV doesn’t just stop at animal welfare; it has a range of benefits for the soil and the environment as well.

Benefits for Animals and Soil

The primary advantage of Cow PV is the shade it offers to grazing animals. By protecting cattle and other livestock from the harsh sun, these panels help keep the animals cool and reduce heat stress. But the benefits extend beyond just animal comfort. The shaded area also helps the soil retain moisture more effectively. This increased moisture is crucial for maintaining healthy soil, particularly in arid or semi-arid regions.

Enhancing Soil Health

The positive impact of Cow PV on soil health is profound. The shade provided by the photovoltaic panels prevents soil from drying out too quickly, which is essential for preventing erosion and maintaining soil fertility. Additionally, the droppings from the animals under the panels act as a natural fertilizer, enriching the soil with essential nutrients. This natural fertilization process reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, promoting a more sustainable approach to farming.

Environmental and Agricultural Synergies

Beyond improving soil health, Cow PV offers several other environmental benefits. By increasing soil moisture, the system helps prevent erosion, reduces the risk of fires, and mitigates flooding. These factors contribute to a more resilient and sustainable ecosystem. Furthermore, the photovoltaic panels themselves generate clean, renewable energy. This means that while the system is enhancing agricultural practices, it’s also contributing to the production of sustainable energy.

Boosting Biodiversity

The overall improvements in soil health and moisture levels foster a more diverse range of plant and animal life. Healthier soil supports a richer array of vegetation, which in turn attracts a variety of wildlife. This increased biodiversity is beneficial for the environment, creating a more balanced and resilient ecosystem.

Conclusion

Cow PV represents a harmonious blend of traditional agriculture and modern technology. By providing shade for grazing animals, improving soil health, and generating renewable energy, this innovative system addresses multiple challenges faced by farmers and environmentalists alike. As we continue to explore and implement such integrated solutions, we pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future in agriculture. 

Whether you’re a farmer looking for ways to enhance your land or an environmental enthusiast interested in new green technologies, Cow PV offers a compelling example of how we can work with nature to achieve our goals.

We’re thrilled to share our experience at the recent Solar Farm Summit in Chicago, held from July 8th to 10th! Sunzaun was proud to be an exhibitor at the event, showcasing our innovative vertical solar solutions. Our CEO, Helge Biernath, even had the opportunity to deliver a presentation on the exciting potential of vertical solar power.

The presentation sparked a lot of interest, reflecting the growing buzz around vertical solar farms. The Solar Farm Summit offered excellent networking opportunities. This is particularly valuable for addressing the challenges in agrivoltaics because it brings together a diverse range of stakeholders like farmers, renewable energy professionals and researchers. Here’s a glimpse into how different industries are receiving this new technology:

Farming Industry: There’s definite excitement about the potential of vertical solar to increase food production and generate clean energy on the same land, essentially creating a dual-use system. However, some concerns exist about the high initial investment of vertical farming systems. For reference, check out the smart solar work done by the American Farmland Trust.

Solar Industry: Collaboration between academia and industry is on the rise. Research and development for vertical solar panels are underway to improve efficiency and address challenges. This indicates a growing interest in integrating vertical solar into the solar energy landscape. The agrivoltaics testing grounds at University of Colorado are a great example of innovative projects.

Academia: Research into vertical solar panels and their applications is ongoing, with institutions partnering with industry to develop new technologies. There’s a strong focus on overcoming limitations and maximizing the potential of vertical solar energy production. Review the research by Arizona State University to learn more.

The Solar Farm Summit was a fantastic platform to connect with industry leaders, discuss the latest advancements in agrivoltaics, and showcase how Sunzaun’s vertical solar systems can contribute to a more sustainable future for agriculture and renewable energy. We look forward to continuing the conversation and being a part of the future of solar energy!

Sunzaun is excited to announce that we will be exhibiting at the 2024 Solar Farm Summit, North America’s premier agrivoltaics conference and expo. The event will take place in Chicago, IL, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to explore the synergistic potential of solar energy and agricultural production.

Join us to discover how Sunzaun’s cutting-edge vertical solar system integrates seamlessly with agricultural practices, promoting sustainable land stewardship and maximizing energy production. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with experts and explore the latest advancements in agrivoltaics.

Mark your calendars and visit our booth to learn more about our innovative technologies and how we are contributing to the future of renewable energy and agriculture. Get your tickets here.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 Solar Farm Summit!

In the face of the pressing demand for sustainable and efficient energy solutions worldwide, agrivoltaics emerges as a pioneering concept at the intersection of agriculture and renewable energy. This innovative approach harnesses the power of the sun while coexisting harmoniously with agricultural practices. In the first part of our two-piece introduction to agrivoltaics, we explored the motivations driving the adoption of agrivoltaics and its vast potential to revolutionize land use. This second part discusses diverse system types that have emerged, the challenges faced, and noteworthy pioneering projects that showcase the transformative power of this sustainable technology.

Agrivoltaics System Types

In order to realize the potential benefits of a dual use concept, care must be taken in the technical planning of such a project to ensure that the PV system and the agricultural management of the land are compatible. 

The approach taken in Germany is particularly noteworthy here. The authors of the standard DIN SPEC 91434:2021-05, who have defined the applicable regulations for AgriPV systems in Germany, have placed particular emphasis on the fact that the primary use of the land must continue to be agriculture. They define agrivoltaics as “combined use of one and the same land area for agricultural production as the primary use, and for electricity production by means of a PV system as a secondary use” (Link to standard). 

It is therefore important to find the right configuration for each application, depending on the type of farming and local climatic conditions. From a technical point of view, there are different types of solar systems that can be used for agricultural purposes.

The Fraunhofer Institute distinguishes between open and closed systems. Open systems include interspace PV, which allows agriculture between the rows of the PV system, and overhead PV, which was designed for growing plants under the panels. The closed systems include PV greenhouses and opaque buildings, which enable indoor farming and are not agrivoltaics in the strict sense of the word. (Fraunhofer ISE)

A good overview of different solar designs and other planning considerations is provided in the “Getting Started with Agrisolar Tutorial” by the Agrisolar Clearinghouse.

Challenges

The integration of solar energy systems with agriculture presents a promising avenue for sustainable energy generation. However, this innovative approach is not without its challenges:

System Integration

One of the primary challenges in agrivoltaics lies in seamlessly integrating solar installations with agricultural practices. Balancing the needs of both systems to optimize energy production and crop yield requires careful planning and technological advancements.

Crop Yield

The impact of solar panels on crop yield is a critical consideration. Adequate sunlight is essential for plant growth, and finding the optimal arrangement to ensure sunlight penetration while maximizing energy production poses a challenge. Striking the right balance is crucial to maintaining agricultural productivity.

Economic Viability

The economic feasibility of agrivoltaic projects is another challenge. Determining the most cost-effective and efficient systems that deliver both energy and agricultural outputs requires comprehensive analysis. Factors such as initial investment, maintenance costs, and overall project sustainability need to be carefully evaluated for long-term economic viability.

Research

Despite the potential benefits, agrivoltaics is a relatively new field, and further research is essential to address existing challenges and unlock its full potential. Collaborative efforts between the solar and agriculture sectors are necessary to develop innovative solutions, improve technology, and refine best practices for successful implementation.

Pioneering Projects

A number of pioneering projects have set themselves the task of solving the existing challenges. At various locations around the world, researchers, farmers and solar developers are gathering important findings on electricity and crop yields, system integration and other important data on soil health and biodiversity. The AgriSolar Atlas provides an overview of existing installations in the USA. Some particularly interesting projects from the USA and Europe are presented below.

Jacks Solar Garden

Collaborating with the University of Arizona, Colorado State University, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Sprout City Farms, Jack’s Solar Garden is establishing a 1.2 MW community solar garden spanning five acres south of Longmont, Colorado. This initiative involves the creation of research plots.

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

The Fraunhofer Institute has been involved in various international research projects. For instance, the “SynAgri-PV” research project aims to comprehensively outline and assess key technical, legal, economic, and social factors influencing the introduction of agrivoltaics in the German market. The project further seeks to formulate recommendations to facilitate the widespread adoption of agrivoltaics.

University of California, Davis

At the University of California, Davis, a test field has been established by researchers. This field cultivates diverse plant species under different light conditions, as detailed in our blog article (link). Equipped with light filters, the field captures pertinent data throughout the plant growth stages. Professor Majdi Abou Najm’s team is primarily exploring how agrivoltaics can simultaneously enhance crop yield, conserve irrigation water, and contribute to renewable energy generation for the nation.

Conclusion

The symbiosis of agriculture and photovoltaics is a promising approach to combating climate change and strengthening agriculture at the same time. On a comparatively small portion of agricultural land, agrivoltaics can help secure crop yields and provide communities with renewable energy. The first pioneers are already showing what the joint future of agriculture and the energy sector can look like and Sunzaun is grateful to be part of it.

In the face of the pressing demand for sustainable and efficient energy solutions worldwide, agrivoltaics emerges as a pioneering concept at the intersection of agriculture and renewable energy. This innovative approach harnesses the power of the sun while coexisting harmoniously with agricultural practices. In this first part of our two-piece introduction to agrivoltaics, we explore the motivations driving the adoption of agrivoltaics and its vast potential to revolutionize land use. The second part will discuss diverse system types that have emerged, the challenges faced, and noteworthy pioneering projects that showcase the transformative power of this sustainable technology.

The Motivation for Agrivoltaics

We know everything about the main driver behind the development of Agrivoltaics: It’s called climate change.The aim of Agrivoltaics is to limit global warming and at the same time minimize its damage. To this end, Agrivoltaics is working on the Water-Energy-Food Nexus. But what is that all about?

Climate Crisis is a Water Crisis

The climate crisis is a water crisis. The effects of this crisis include heavy rainfall, which causes flooding, erosion and landslides. Extreme weather events like hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons cause damage to infrastructure, loss of life and pollution of water sources through flooding and runoff.

At the same time, higher temperatures lead to droughts, drying up of lakes, rivers and reservoirs, which affects the availability of freshwater and leads to water scarcity. Agriculture is severely affected by all these consequences for people and the planet: Agriculture consumes 72% of all withdrawn freshwater resources (UN Water).

In order to mitigate the most severe effects of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions must achieve a state of net-zero by 2050. Since fossil fuels account for almost 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions, renewable energies must be expanded massively (United Nations).

Situation of the Farmers

Climate change is not the only threat to farmers. They have to compete on a global market with low prices, which makes it difficult to run their business in a sustainable way, both financially and environmentally.

Protests

The stress that farmers have to deal with varies from country to country, depending on the local climate and economic conditions. Currently, farmers in France block the highways around Paris, protesting against the low income they generate under the prevailing structure of the food market (The Guardian). The situation in Germany is similar: Farmers protest nationwide reacting to an announcement of the German Government. It had planned to cut subsidies for diesel and vehicle tax (DW).

Dependence on Subsidies

Those plans have been softened, however, the problems for European farmers are fundamental. They highly depend on subsidies given out by the EU (DW). For example, 70% of the available subsidies for German agriculture is given to farmers based on their farm size (Federal Information Center Agriculture), which favors big companies. This may seem as a European problem, but the reality is that the EU is the biggest exporter of food and the third biggest importer worldwide (European Commission). So the European regulations on agriculture have a global impact. 

Let’s take a look at the situation in the US. The 2018 Farm Bill authorized $428 billion over the 5 year period from 2019-23 and was extended by President Biden (Economic Research Service). The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill, is a comprehensive piece of U.S. legislation that reauthorized significant funding for agricultural programs. Pros of the bill include its provision of support, certainty, and stability for farmers, ranchers, and forest managers, contributing to the overall resilience of the agricultural sector (USDA). Additionally, the bill addresses commodity support and introduces modifications to Department of Agriculture programs through FY2023, aiming to enhance the industry’s sustainability (Economic Research Service). However, critics argue that the bill’s allocation of funds and certain policy provisions may not effectively address pressing issues such as environmental concerns and income inequality among farmers. Balancing these perspectives is essential to understanding the multifaceted impact of the 2018 Farm Bill on the nation’s agricultural landscape.

The World is Growing

In addition to climate change, we are dealing with another global trend: A growing world population. And this population wants to be fed. To sustainably feed the projected population of over 9 billion by 2050, global food production would need to rise by 50% (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). Note that 735 Million people were undernourished in 2022 (Statistical Federal Office) and climate changes leads to a loss of 10 million hectares of arable land every year (Environmental Federal Office) while nutritional values of food fall (National Geographic).

How to Face the Dilemma? 

Climate change and the growing world population seem to be leading to a dilemma. On the one hand, the energy industry needs land to expand renewable energies such as wind power and photovoltaics. On the other hand, agriculture needs to produce more food under more difficult conditions. One might think that a competition for land use is emerging. But the supposed dilemma is not one, because it has a solution: Agrivoltaics.

The Potential of Agrivoltaics

By combining food production and renewable energy generation on the same land, an agrivoltaics configuration increases the land use efficiency. At the same time, the causes of the climate crisis are being addressed and its inevitable consequences mitigated. Let’s illustrate this with an example: 

A farmer is using his land 100% to cultivate crops. They might receive an offer from a solar company to rededicate the land, stop producing food and instead install 100% solar panels to earn money by leasing the land to the solar company. This is the situation of an apparent land use conflict: 100% agriculture or 100% solar power?

Now let’s take a look at how an agrivoltaics system would change the situation. By installing a solar system that allows the cultivation of crops under or between the panels, for instance, the farmer might install solar panels with 83% of the power compared to a traditional solar system. The slightly decreased power is due to the specifics of a solar system being designed for agricultural uses compared to an optimized system which doesn’t allow agricultural activities.

How would such a system affect the crop yield? 

This highly depends on the specific crop and the climate conditions of the region where the crops are grown. With potatoes, for example, the farmer might even see a higher yield in a hot dry year due to UV stress reduction caused by shading provided by the solar panels. Let’s say the crop yield rises to 103% compared to a field without solar panels. (Numbers from: Fraunhofer).

Summarized: Instead of choosing between 100% crop yield or 100% energy yield, the farmer gets 186% combined both food and electricity production. This is how agrivoltaics increase land use efficiency.

How Both Farmers and Solar Developers Benefit

By utilizing the higher land use efficiency of agrivoltaics compared to a traditional set up, both farmers and solar developers can profit. Here is an overview of the potential benefits:

Benefits for Farmers:

• Resilience to Climate change
• Ability to stay in production under stressed climate conditions
• Potential for a higher crop yield
• Shading for workers, crops and cattle
• Wind protection
• Less soil erosion
• Hail Protection
• Additional Source of income

Benefits for Solar Developers:

• Higher panel efficiency due to the cooling microclimate under the panels
• Cooling effect and higher yield of vertical panels due to a higher heat transfer coefficient (PV Magazine)
• Obtain permissions by local authorities to develop solar projects because agricultural production can be maintained
• Grid serving production curve of vertical bifacial panels facing east and west

The Potential for the US and Worldwide

Agrivoltaics offer a solution to promote the expansion of renewable energies and at the same time strengthen the resilience of agriculture. But how high is the land potential and how much land is needed to achieve the expansion targets?

For the US, the Biden-Harris Administration has established an objective to achieve decarbonization of the electricity sector by 2035. Solar energy, currently contributing approximately 4% to the U.S. electricity supply, plays a pivotal role in realizing this decarbonization goal. According to the Solar Futures Study conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy, it is projected that solar energy could potentially account for up to 40% of U.S. electricity generation by 2035. To achieve this significant scale of solar deployment, an estimated 5.7 million acres, equivalent to 0.3% of the contiguous land area in the United States, may be required (Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energies).

In addition to various other installation types, agrivoltaics can play a role in advancing these initiatives, potentially leading to an increase in photovoltaic (PV) power ranging from 40 to 70 GW. This boost could be achieved solely by converting lettuce cultivation to agrivoltaic systems in the United States (H. Dinesh, J.M. Pearce).

Forecasts from other parts of the world are similarly optimistic. Researchers from Denmark have investigated the potential for Europe. They came to the conclusion that agrivoltaic systems have the potential to generate electricity that is 25 times the current electricity demand in Europe (PV Magazine). The potential of this technology is enormous and only a fraction of the agricultural land would be needed to make a significant contribution to a sustainable energy supply.

Conclusion

Rising temperatures, water shortages and heavy rainfalls are threatening agriculture fundamentally. At the same time, a growing world population and competitive global markets put additional pressure on farmers’ shoulders. Agrivoltaics, the combination of agriculture and solar PV has an enormous potential to protect agriculture productivity and profitability while mitigating climate crisis by generating renewable energy. But what does the concrete technical implementation look like? And which pioneering projects harness the power of the sun twice already today? Those questions will be answered in the second part of our article series “What is Agrivoltaics”.

The first Transatlantic #agrisolar Conference, joined by high-level representatives from energy, agriculture, policy, and research to pave the future for agrivoltaics. Questions we will tackle: What are the benefits of agrivoltaics, especially for #farmers and #developers ? How can they contribute to farm optimization? Which kinds of technologies already exist and what are the types of agrivoltaics #pvs ? How can agrivoltaics align #resilience and #sustainability ? See how Professor Majdi Abou Najm from UC Davis, Franz Feuerherdt from Solar 4 America, Helge Biernath from Sunzaun Sunstall, Knowledge Murphy from the American Farm trust and Kevin Logue untangle the challenges around #agsolar.

Exploring the intersection of agriculture and renewable energy, the recent California Germany Agrivoltaics Conference at University of California, Davis, provided a platform for experts, researchers, and enthusiasts to delve into the groundbreaking fusion of solar technology and farming practices. Amidst the discussions and presentations, four standout takeaways emerged, illuminating the potential of agrivoltaics in revolutionizing our approach to land use, energy generation, and sustainable food production. Join us as we uncover the key insights gleaned from this enlightening conference and their implications for a more resilient and eco-friendly future and how California and Germany can learn from each other.

1. There Will Be 9 Billion People – The World Needs Resilient Farming

As the world population steadily grows, the impacts of climate change present a significant challenge to food production, potentially disrupting agricultural stability and raising concerns about global food security. This is also reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the following of which recognize the importance of a resilient food supply:

• Zero Hunger (The food demand will increase by 60% until 2050)
• Clean Water and Sanitation (Worldwide a 40% higher water demand is expected)
• Affordable and Clean Energy (The energy demand will grow by 50%)
• Sustainable Cities and Communities (In 2050 there will be 2 Billion more urbanites)

The nexus of food, water, and energy represents the interconnected relationship between these vital resources, highlighting the dependency and impact each has on the others. Agrivoltaics emerges as a promising solution within this nexus, offering a harmonious convergence between agricultural productivity, renewable energy generation, and efficient water usage. By integrating solar panels within agricultural spaces, agrivoltaics enables the dual use of land, maximizing its utility. 

“There is a lot to learn from the European experience, we don’t need to reinvent the wheel”

Majdi Abou Najm, Associate Professor of Soil Biophysics at University of California, Davis

The shade provided by solar panels reduces water evaporation, fostering a more conducive environment for crops while concurrently generating clean energy. This approach optimizes land use, mitigates water scarcity issues, and bolsters renewable energy production, offering a sustainable pathway to address the challenges at the intersection of food, water, and energy. Through agrivoltaics, the synergy between these essential resources can be harnessed to create a more resilient and environmentally conscious system. In addition to the enormous potential, the implementation of this innovative approach also poses a number of challenges, but there is “a lot to learn from the European experience, we don’t need to reinvent the wheel” says Majdi Abou Najm, Associate Professor of Soil Biophysics at University of California, Davis.

2. Europe Is Far Ahead – The U.S. Should Catch Up Soon

European countries have been increasingly adopting this innovative approach to address land use challenges and bolster renewable energy production. Countries like Germany, France, Spain, and the Netherlands have implemented agrivoltaic systems, utilizing farmland to simultaneously generate solar energy and cultivate crops. These initiatives showcase the potential for dual land use, optimizing land productivity and contributing to the region’s renewable energy goals. As Europe continues to prioritize sustainability, agrivoltaics stands as a promising pathway towards achieving energy targets while supporting agricultural resilience in the face of changing environmental dynamics.

“We need to bring it out of the labs at the universities into the world and deploy it like a product”

Sebastian Wicklein, Director, Business Development and R&D Coordination at Fraunhofer USA Inc.

In Germany for instance, the Fraunhofer Institute’s APV-Obstbau (Orcharding) research project focuses on the development and implementation of photovoltaic systems specifically for orchards. The aim is to make optimum use of agricultural land by installing solar systems above the fruit trees. This innovative method not only enables the simultaneous production of renewable energy and the management of orchards, but also aims to protect the plants from extreme weather conditions. The project takes a holistic approach to maximize orchard yields, increase energy efficiency and promote sustainability in agriculture. The research conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute as part of the APV Fruit Growing project has the potential to transform the future of agricultural practices by combining innovative solutions to the challenges of producing food and renewable energy.

At University of California Davis, researchers have set up a test field where diverse plant species are grown under varying light conditions (read our blog article here). The field is equipped with light filters that record relevant data throughout the plant growth process. At the core of the research conducted by Prof. Majdi Abou Najm’s team is the question, how agrivoltaics can help conserve irrigation water and boost crop yield while providing renewable energy for the country.

3. Partnerships and Community Engagement are Key

Effective partnerships between researchers, solar developers, farmers, and policy makers are pivotal in driving innovation, optimizing land use, fostering sustainable practices, and shaping policies that integrate agrivoltaics seamlessly into agricultural landscapes for a greener future. It is just as important to involve local communities in the process in order to create acceptance and concepts that really work.

Community engagement for agrivoltaics involves fostering an inclusive dialogue and collaboration among local stakeholders, farmers, policymakers, and residents. It starts by educating and raising awareness within the community about the benefits and potential of agrivoltaics. Workshops, town hall meetings, and informational sessions can serve as platforms to share knowledge, address concerns, and gather feedback. Encouraging participation in the planning and implementation phases allows community members to voice their opinions, preferences, and needs, ensuring that agrivoltaic projects align with local contexts. Moreover, establishing transparent communication channels fosters trust and empowers the community to actively contribute to decision-making processes. Collaborative initiatives, such as community-owned agrivoltaic installations or profit-sharing models, can further solidify community engagement by providing direct involvement and economic benefits. Ultimately, a well-engaged community becomes an integral part of successful agrivoltaic projects, promoting sustainability, local support, and shared benefits for all involved parties.

4. We are in the Beginning of a 5th Agricultural Revolution

The history of mankind goes hand in hand with revolutionary developments in the way we do agriculture. Each agricultural revolution has brought about significant changes in farming methods, technology, and food production, shaping human societies and economies across different historical periods. Here is a short overview:

• First Agricultural Revolution (10,000 BCE): This revolution marked the transition from hunting and gathering to settled agricultural communities.
• Second Agricultural Revolution (17th to 19th century): The second revolution was characterized by advancements in agricultural technology and practices. Introduction of improved machinery and pesticides significantly increased agricultural productivity.
• Green Revolution (Mid-20th Century): High-yielding varieties of crops, increased use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and improved irrigation methods were introduced. These innovations led to a dramatic increase in crop yields.
• Precision Agriculture (Late 20th century to present): This revolution emphasizes the integration of technology and data-driven approaches into agriculture.

Agrivoltaics as a 5th revolution?

Agrivoltaics represents a potential paradigm shift in agriculture and energy production that could indeed be considered a potential fifth agricultural revolution due to its transformative impact. Creating dual use efficiency, optimizing resource utilization, enhancing sustainability and economic viability of farming mean a lot of potential transformation.

Agrivoltaics can make a significant contribution to strengthening agriculture against the challenges of the climate crisis, ensuring food security for a growing world population and at the same time supporting the ecological and social transformation through the expansion of renewable energies.