Last week, we had the honor of hosting Jordan Macknick from National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Taiwan to present his work on agrivoltaics. Alongside his presentation, we accompanied him on a 3-day field trip across the agricultural lands on the western plains of Taiwan to visits to several photovoltaic (PV) sites, including the Taya Aquavoltaic Project, the award winning Chiu Brothers Aquaculture, and the Dalin Agrivoltaic Demo Site. This field trip gave Jordan firsthand insight into the diversity of PV installations and the land-use conflicts between solar and agriculture in Taiwan, ranging from highly controversial zoning of disadvantaged farmland to the emerging aquavoltaic projects which threaten the rights of tenant fishermen, and highlighted the unique obstacles faced here. Chief among these is Taiwan’s limited land space for PV, which often forces energy companies to place panels close together, thereby restricting farming opportunities and agricultural diversification around the installations. Jordan was particularly encouraged by certain dual-use models, like Taya’s initiative, which supports local fishermen by reducing rent costs and providing financial aid for maintenance and supplies as needed. He also noted that the Dalin agrivoltaic demo site “is much closer to the successful installations we see in the U.S. or Japan.” However, he underscored the critical role of NGOs and NPOs as neutral parties between solar companies aiming for expansion and local farmers and residents who may be apprehensive about the changing landscape and its impact on their livelihoods. He also emphasized the importance of building strong partnerships with local farmers, even at sites like Dalin where initial collaborations are already underway, as this approach is essential for successful agrivoltaics. In addition to the site visits, TE&P organized two conferences in collaboration with the Environmental Rights Foundation, in Huwei and Taipei, with 38 attendees, specializing in land-use planning, natural resource management, farmers, NGOs. These events enabled Jordan to share his experience of over a decade of work on agrivoltaics in the U.S. and provide feedback on Taiwan’s solar development. Participants showed keen interest in learning about U.S. legislative support and social engagement for solar energy and approaches to collaborating with farmers for agrivoltaic projects. They see potential for adapting U.S. models to enhance Taiwan’s agrivoltaics, despite some challenges specific to Taiwan. Jordan’s visit marks an important step toward creating efficient agrivoltaic systems that engage local communities fairly. We extend our thanks to Jordan, NREL, and stakeholders who contributed to this meaningful collaboration. TE&P is committed to advancing inclusive aquavoltaic and agrivoltaic systems, working toward a sustainable energy future that addresses Taiwan’s land constraints without compromising landscapes or community ownership. #agrivoltaic
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