Agrivoltaics - Merging Solar Energy and Agricultural Production Infographic

Agrivoltaics - Merging Solar Energy and Agricultural Production

What is Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics is the concept of combining solar energy and food production to optimize land use and generate greater income and market diversity for landowners.

How Much Land Area Are We Talking About?

• 4-5 acres to produce 1MW energy to power 172 homes on average
• Solar power could provide 40% of US electricity by 2035, using up to 5.7 million acres of land, and another 4.6 million acres by 2050. 0.5% of total land area in the US / 1.1% of area currently used for agriculture.10% of the total land area currently used for urban areas and roads, or 5 x the land area currently used for golf courses.
• Overall, land area requirements for solar power do not pose a constraint in the US. However, competition for land can be an issue near major population centers and in arid regions.

What Types of Agriculture are most compatible with installations of solar arrays?

• Plantings of native grasses and/or pollinator species which benefit neighboring crops as well as wildlife. 
• Livestock agriculture (especially sheep), vegetable farming, and crops that do not require irrigation, and aquaculture.

What are the benefits and constraints of agrivoltaics? 
Benefits:

• Optimization of land use and diversification of farm income sources.
• Soil moisture retention.
  
• Reduced soil temperature = reduced water. demand, soil moisture loss, and water table stress.
• Reduced heat stress for animals.
  
• Power generation for direct farm/system use, including aquaculture.

Constraints:

• Shading can significantly reduce crops yields.
• Redistribution of rainfall / inconsistent soil moisture.
• High costs of site preparation and installation.
• Utility-scale installations need to be located near power transmission lines  or sub-stations. 

Read the report.