Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics (also called agrophotovoltaics, agrisolar, or dual-use solar) refers to the practice of using the same land for both solar energy and agriculture.

The approach is surprisingly versatile - solar panels can be installed between crops, elevated above crops, on greenhouses, or arranged to support pollinators.

The pairing can also offer some synergies. Solar panels can help moderate ground temperatures, provide shelter for livestock and help plants retain moisture. For farmers the ability to produce electricity can help diversify their income stream.

Solar panels block light, which means that dual use systems involve trade-offs between crop yield, crop quality, and energy production. Some crops/livestock benefit from the increased shade, obviating the trade-off, such as green leafy vegetables, and spices such as turmeric and ginger, whereas staple crops such as wheat, rice, soybeans or pulses require more sun. Agrivoltaics has also been used at scale in arid and semi-arid regions to stabilize soils, reduce dust storm intensity, increase vegetation cover, provide forage for livestock, and curb desertification, notably in northern China.