Agrivoltaics: what is it and can it benefit your farm?

Agrivoltaics is a term that refers to the combination of agriculture and solar energy production. It involves installing solar panels above or between crops, creating a dual-use system that benefits both farmers and the environment.

Some of the benefits of agrivoltaics are:

- It can increase land-use efficiency, as it allows solar farms and agriculture to share the same space, rather than competing for land resources.
- It can reduce water consumption, as the solar panels provide shade and create a microclimate for the crops, reducing evaporation and irrigation needs.
- It can improve crop quality and yield, as the solar panels optimize the amount of sunlight reaching the plants, preventing excess heat stress and enhancing photosynthesis.
- It can provide clean energy, as the solar panels generate electricity from renewable sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel dependence.

Some examples of agrivoltaic farming are growing broccoli under photovoltaic panels in South Korea, cultivating vegetables and fruits under elevated solar panels in East Africa, and planting pollinator habitats around solar farms in the US.

These examples show how agrivoltaics can adapt to different contexts and needs, and how it can offer multiple benefits for people and the planet.