Agrivoltaics: Combining solar panels and agriculture into a win-win result

One might think that solar parks would be best suited in dry and sunny environments, such as in a desert, but this is not the case. The solar cells work better with some humidity, and typical agricultural areas are best suited. However, these are areas that are already under great pressure, which creates a conflict of interest between the production of food and the production of energy.

So, why not combine agriculture with solar panels in the same area? It's not a new idea. Agrivoltaics (also known as agrophotovoltaics, agri solar or agri-PV), has been discussed for decades, but it’s only in recent years that it has become highly relevant to develop projects on a larger scale.

The world needs more renewable energy, and solar energy is undoubtedly one of the largest parts of the solution, not least in countries with a lot of sun throughout the year

Battle for land

"Combining solar energy with agriculture seems like a very sensible idea, especially in a country where competition for land is fierce," says Martijn van der Pouw, business developer in Statkraft Netherlands.

The Netherlands is an example of a country where the need for new renewable energy is great, but access to available space for solar parks is small due to competition for land.

"Agri-PV can resolve the land conflict between renewable energy production and agricultural production," says van der Pouw. He emphasises that the primary use of the land in agri-PV plants should always be agriculture, while energy production is integrated in the farming practice.

"There are several solar parks where sheep graze between the panels, but this is not what we in The Netherlands would normally consider agrivoltaic combination use. It's just an easy way for greenkeeping. In an agrivoltaic project, the goal is to produce high-quality fodder, vegetables, berries, or fruits, while also producing energy.

Usually, the dual use will reduce both agricultural production and energy production compared to the use of the same land for one or the other. 

"A general goal is that agricultural production should be at least 70 per cent of what it was before the solar panels were installed," says Martijn van der Pouw.

“Now, if the solar installation in the agri-PV system also produces 70 per cent of what it would have produced in a standard solar power plant without agricultural use, the area is effectively 140 percent used compared to either agricultural or solar power.”

For the farmer who rents out their land for power generation, that could be good news. In addition to the return from agriculture, they will also receive income from power generation. This can both stabilise and increase income flow.