Peter Fairley’s Post

New agrivoltaics data shows improved grass, forage production under solar panels: The National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) is carrying out two agrivoltaics research projects on solar parks operated by BayWa r.e. and Valorem in several regions of France. Despite the different climatic conditions, similar positive trends were observed with a drop in temperature and an increase in soil humidity under the solar panels, as well as a better quality of forage that made it more digestible for animals. #Renewables #Energy #Technology

Extremely pleased to share that my research paper titled “Solar energy modelling and proposed crops for different types of agrivoltaics systems” was published in Elsevier’s Energy journal. This study assessed the potential energy generation from vertical bi-facial solar photovoltaic arrays and the corresponding solar irradiation across three different inter-row spacings (5 m, 15 m, and 45 m) and agricultural regions in Canada (London, Calgary, and Winnipeg). Utilizing irradiance modeling with Ladybug tools integrated into Grasshopper and Honeybee, the specific crops grown in each area were identified and their sunlight needs were ascertained. Based on the solar radiation reaching the ground and the crops' requirements, suitable inter-row spacings for agrivoltaic applications were determined for each location. Furthermore, the land acreage suitable for selected crops viable for agrivoltaic systems in each province was identified and their electrical energy potential using the open-source System Advisor Model (SAM) was estimated. The findings suggest that implementing agrivoltaics on agricultural land where these crops are cultivated in the three provinces could potentially meet more than 84% of Canada's total electricity demand. For those interested, the full paper is available through the following link: https://lnkd.in/g9k6atQm I would like to thank my co-author Thomas Hickey for his contribution. Also, I want to express special thanks to Dr. Joshua Pearce, my supervisor, whose support and guidance were crucial throughout this research. Western University Free Appropriate Sustainability Technology (FAST) Research Group Agrivoltaics Canada   #agrivoltaics #agrivoltaicscanada #renewableenergy #sustainability #solarenergy #canada #photovoltaics #climatepolicy #energypolicy #farming #elsevier #energy

The Italian government is taking strides to safeguard agricultural areas with new regulations on ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems. The recent decree-law aims to protect farming and fisheries by restricting new installations in designated agricultural zones while overseeing existing ones. Italy's commitment to tripling its global renewable energy capacity by 2030 includes expanding photovoltaic plants to reach a capacity of approximately 38 GW. With a robust solar capacity already exceeding 30 GW by the end of 2023, representing about 24% of the nation's total installed capacity of 127 GW, any limits on solar plants could impact energy companies and hinder the government's goal. #Italy #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #Legislation #Agriculture #Sustainability https://lnkd.in/dqthDS-w

SolarPower Europe Introduces Best Practice Guidelines for Agrisolar Projects in Bulgaria SolarPower Europe’s Agrisolar Best Practice Guidelines are now available to solar developers and farmers in Bulgaria, translated by the Bulgarian Association for Production, Storage, and Trading of Electricity (APSTE). The guidelines focus on best practices for integrating solar installations with agricultural activities. The document provides a customized scoring mechanism for assessing Agrisolar project performance based on agricultural, environmental, social, economic, and lifecycle quality criteria. It delves into practical instances of EU Agrisolar projects, presenting data on crop yield, water usage, land efficiency, biodiversity improvement, and socioeconomic advantages. This translated guide arrives at a crucial juncture for Bulgaria’s solar industry, aligning […] Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dJ5-sY75 #solarenergy #alternativeenergy #solarpv #pvsolar #photovoltaic #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatechange #middleeast #africa #india #asiapacific #asia #agriculture #agrisolarparks #bulgaria #europe #india #renewableenergy #solardeveloper #solarenergy #solarpowereurope

The wide spectrum of integration possibilities for agriculture and solar PV tech deserve a collaborative exploration for mutual benefit and coexistence by farming communities and utilities.

How to convert PV plants with dual-axis trackers into agrivoltaic facilities A Spanish group of researchers has investigated how much agricultural production may be hosted by existing ground-mounted PV plants using dual-axis trackers. They outlined a new methodology that reportedly enables to quantify how much space around and beneath the panels can be uses for agricultural purposes. https://lnkd.in/gmSqH7qB

Sunzaun Powers Rutgers' Innovative Agrivoltaic Research! ☀️Great news for sustainable agriculture! Partnering with the NJ Board of Public Utilities, Rutgers leads a 3-year study on installing 200 MW of solar panels on active farms (agrivoltaics). This maximizes renewable energy while preserving farmland. "Our research aims to establish practices for safe solar adoption on farms," says Margaret Brennan-Tonetta, Director at the NJ Agricultural Experiment Station. Sunzaun's vertical design is key. Unlike traditional systems, it allows continued farming, maximizing land use and potentially boosting crop yields in certain situations. Read more about this exciting initiative #agrivoltaics #renewables #sustainableagriculture #Sunzaun #dreamvertical

Mindful land management in solar power development can enhance nearby land productivity, potentially garnering broader local approval, as emerging research underscores the financial and ecological benefits for neighboring agricultural operations. #solar #technology #renewableenergy

Combining farming and solar photovoltaic electricity production – known as agrivoltaics - on a mere 1% of EU utilised agricultural area (UAA) could help to surpass the EU’s 2030 targets - 720 GW direct current - for solar energy generation. This innovative multi land-use application shows great potential: unlike conventional ground mounted photovoltaic systems, in agrivoltaic applications the panels are installed in such a way that agricultural activities, such as growing crops, grass or fruit, remain the primary use of the land area, while also giving access for farm machinery or livestock. The panels can provide shadowing to mitigate heat stress on crops and offer protection from severe weather. Likewise, greenhouses can be made of semi-transparent PV panels. #Agrivoltaics can help alleviate concerns about land competition between solar panels and farming activities, while supporting policies related to energy transition, agriculture, the environment and biodiversity in the EU's pursuit of the #European #GreenDeal targets for a climate neutral Europe. Learn more about the benefits of agrivoltaics in this article👇👇

#Agrophotovoltaics: A Small Step Towards a Green Future. Recently, I had the opportunity to work on agrophotovoltaics (APV), an innovative approach that combines agricultural practices with #solar power generation on the same land. This dual land use method increases renewable energy production while maintaining agricultural productivity. In this essay, I explore the financial feasibility of an APV setup for small-size farmers on a 3-acre plot and build a case for a more extensive setup on a 10-hectare farm. Financial Feasibility for a 3-Acre Setup: Initial Costs and Revenue: The initial installation cost for an elevated APV system on 3 acres is substantial. The power generated from this setup is 1 MW, translating to significant annual revenue from power production. Additionally, crop production from moong and isabgol adds to the overall revenue. The break-even period for this investment is approximately 6 years. Financial Feasibility for a 10-Hectare Setup: Initial Costs and Revenue: For a larger 10-hectare setup, the initial cost is higher, but the power generation capacity increases to 4 MW, resulting in higher annual revenue from power. Crop production also scales up, contributing to the total revenue. This larger setup achieves a quicker break-even period of around 5 years. Conclusion: The financial feasibility of an agrophotovoltaic setup demonstrates a promising return on investment for both small and large-scale implementations. A 3-acre setup has a break-even period of approximately 6 years, while a 10-hectare setup breaks even in about 5 years. This dual-use model enhances land efficiency, boosts #RenewableEnergy production, and maintains agricultural output, making it a viable path toward a #sustainable and #greenfuture. Agrophotovoltaics holds significant potential for transforming the agricultural landscape, offering farmers an additional revenue stream and contributing to global renewable energy goals. The scalability of the model further underscores its viability and attractiveness as a sustainable agricultural practice. Detailed calculations will be provided in the attached document. #sustainability #climate #solarpower #solarenergy #photovoltaic