As the world grapples with the dual challenges of food security and renewable energy, innovative solutions that integrate both sectors are gaining prominence. One such solution is agrovoltaics, a practice that combines agricultural activities with solar power generation. This integrated approach offers a sustainable way to optimize land use, enhance agricultural productivity, and contribute to renewable energy targets. In Sri Lanka, agrovoltaics is emerging as a promising strategy to address these challenges, with the country's first agrovoltaic plant already demonstrating significant benefits.
Understanding Agrovoltaics
Agrovoltaics, also known as agrivoltaics, involves the co-location of photovoltaic (PV) panels and agricultural crops on the same land. This dual-use approach leverages the synergies between solar energy production and agriculture, providing multiple benefits such as improved land efficiency, increased crop yields, and additional income streams for farmers. By optimizing land use, agrovoltaics can achieve land productivity increases of up to 60%, as PV panels offer partial shade, reducing crop heat stress and water evaporation. In regions with high solar irradiance, agrovoltaic systems can enhance crop growth by balancing temperature and sunlight exposure, leading to yield increases of 10-30% for certain crops. Additionally, agrovoltaics contributes to energy security by generating renewable electricity, with a typical installation capable of producing 1-2 MW of power per hectare
Globally, agrovoltaics is gaining traction as a viable solution to the land use dilemma faced by many countries. According to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Germany, agrovoltaic systems can increase land use efficiency by up to 60% compared to traditional single-use agricultural or solar energy systems. Countries like Germany, Japan, France, and China are leading the way in implementing agrovoltaic projects, demonstrating the technology's potential to enhance food security while contributing to renewable energy goals.
The Inception of Agrovoltaics in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's journey into agrovoltaics began with the development of the Solar Universe agrovoltaic plant by WindForce PLC in Vavunathivu. Commissioned in October 2022, this 10MW plant is a pioneering project in the country, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of integrating solar panels with agriculture. The plant supports local farmers by allowing them to grow crops beneath the solar arrays. This innovative setup generates renewable energy and enhances agricultural productivity, providing a sustainable source of income for local communities.The project has created new employment opportunities, both in the construction and operation of the plant and in the agricultural activities it supports. Additionally, the plant contributes significantly to the local power grid, providing clean energy to thousands of households.
In February this year Sri Lanka launched our first-ever semi-transparent solar photovoltaic (PV) powered agrivoltaic pilot project in Hanthana, Kandy. Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), this innovative project aims to integrate solar power with agricultural activities, particularly focusing on tea plantations.The project involves collaboration among multiple government bodies, including the Ministry of Plantation Industries, Ministry of Power & Energy, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Tea Small Holders Development Authority, and Sustainable Energy Authority. By studying the development of renewable energy within tea plantations, these bodies aim to create a sustainable model that can be replicated across the country.
These agrovoltaic projects collectively highlight the potential of this innovative approach to address some of our country’s most pressing challenges. By integrating solar panels with agricultural activities, these projects provide a sustainable source of income for farmers and also contribute to the country's renewable energy targets and promote efficient land use.
The Benefits of Agrovoltaics
Agrovoltaic systems offer several advantages that make them an attractive option for sustainable development in our country.
• Optimized Land Use
In our country, where arable land is limited to about 30% of the total land area, maximizing land use is crucial. Agrovoltaics allows for dual land use by combining solar power generation with crop cultivation on the same plot. This approach can increase land efficiency by up to 70% compared to traditional farming or solar installations alone.
• Enhanced Food Security
Agrovoltaics contributes to food security by enabling farmers to grow crops under the solar panels. This system can potentially increase crop yields by 10-15% due to the microclimate created by the panels, which provides shade and reduces water evaporation.
• Renewable Energy Generation
Sri Lanka aims to generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Agrovoltaic systems can significantly contribute to this goal. A typical agrovoltaic setup on one hectare of land can produce approximately 1.5 megawatts of electricity per year, enough to power about 500 households. This helps reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels, which accounted for 50% of electricity generation in 2022, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
• Climate Resilience
Agrovoltaic systems enhance climate resilience by providing shade, which reduces water evaporation by 20-30%. This is particularly beneficial in regions prone to drought, like the dry zone in the North and East of the country. Additionally, the solar panels protect crops from extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains and high temperatures, thereby stabilizing yields and supporting agricultural sustainability in the face of climate change.
• Economic and Social Impact
Implementing agrovoltaic systems can also create new job opportunities in the renewable energy sector and improve the livelihoods of rural communities. A study by the University of Peradeniya estimates that agrovoltaic projects could generate up to 10,000 jobs in the next five years, spanning installation, maintenance, and agricultural activities.
Global Impact of Agrovoltaics
On a global scale, agrovoltaics is proving to be a game-changer in the quest for sustainable development. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) estimates that by 2030, agrovoltaic systems could provide up to 10% of the world's renewable energy needs while supporting agricultural production. This dual-use approach has the potential to mitigate climate change, improve food security, and enhance rural livelihoods.
In Japan, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has implemented numerous agrovoltaic projects, particularly in regions affected by natural disasters. These projects have shown that agrovoltaics can provide a stable income for farmers while contributing to the country's renewable energy supply.
In France, the INRAE (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment) is conducting extensive research on agrovoltaic systems, demonstrating their potential to improve crop yields and energy efficiency.
Globally, it is estimated that agrovoltaics could provide over 70% of the world's electricity demand if implemented on just 1% of cropland, illustrating its potential to contribute significantly to sustainable development.
Future Prospects and Challenges for us
While the potential of agrovoltaics in Sri Lanka is immense, it comes with its own set of challenges. High initial setup costs, the need for meticulous planning to integrate solar panels with farming, and navigating regulatory and land ownership issues are all significant hurdles. However, with the right support and investment, these obstacles can be surmounted, making agrovoltaics a cornerstone of our sustainable development strategy. Will Sri Lanka rise above these challenges to pioneer agrovoltaic innovation? The decisions made now will shape the future of this exciting venture, keeping us on the edge of anticipation.