Benefits of “agrovoltaics” for the rural environment
What is agrovoltaics?
The term “agrovoltaics” or “agri-voltaics” is now commonly used in the industry to refer to self-consumption photovoltaic projects, generally in which an area of land is used to install solar panels and obtain agricultural products through crops. Therefore, this is a trend in which agricultural activity benefits from the existence of an energy infrastructure. This is due to different factors, including the shadows produced by the photovoltaic panels or the protection provided by the installation against wild animals or adverse weather conditions, among others, which we will see later on.
Specifically, in arid lands located in regions with very dry conditions, the existence of shadows makes it possible to protect certain crops and thus take advantage of this surface area to produce fruit and vegetables. In addition, the use of solar energy for photovoltaic self-consumption makes it possible to cover the energy needs of farms.
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Technologically, these lands are undergoing a significant evolution. Photovoltaics uses advanced equipment that requires monitoring and economically revalorizes the surface area. These systems take into account the growth phases of the crops and the weather, an important aid for the landowner. Some of the equipment used are fixed support systems to elevate the solar panels to allow agricultural machinery to perform its work. Solar tracking systems can also be found in this type of project, allowing the panels to be oriented to maximize their efficiency and avoid casting shadows in the same direction, thus helping all plants or crops to benefit from the same weather conditions.
Outstanding benefits
Although the trend is growing and this means that new and better benefits are being sought for the rural environment, there are five outstanding benefits that are usually found in practically any “agrovoltaic” project, which are detailed below:
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1. Reduction of the carbon footprint of the agricultural sector.
The agricultural and livestock sectors are polluters. Although to a lesser extent than the transportation or industrial sectors, agricultural waste pollutes water and some processes emit greenhouse gases. The integration of photovoltaics to generate energy for self-consumption allows the agricultural sector to reduce its carbon footprint, since it will consume 100% renewable electricity.
2. Enables new crops
On unsuitable land, the incorporation of solar panels makes it possible to grow food crops. Even on land that was suitable, solar panels modify the light conditions that plants receive and can benefit the growth of some plants by reducing excessive solar radiation, heat, drought or heavy rainfall. In very hot or heavy rainy seasons, this provides much-needed protection for crops, as they grow without being affected by seasonal changes. In addition, the shade they generate means that the soil maintains humidity for a longer period of time and thus the optimum water level for the plants.
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3. Ecosystem improvement
Growing and producing solar energy in the same place increases the benefits for the owner and for the ecosystem, something that is increasingly important considering the growth of photovoltaic solar energy in the world. The fact is that ground-mounted photovoltaic plants are becoming nature reserves, areas where, by taking advantage of the vigilance to keep the equipment in good condition, the lives of endangered animals can be protected. It is therefore extremely common for developers of “agrovoltaic” projects to install nesting boxes and structures for insects, perimeter fences with vegetation that allows birds to pass through, use the installation for natural pasture for sheep or cows, or seek to encourage the operation of beehives and the breeding of other animals, among other examples of ecosystem improvement.
4. Employment and positive impact for isolated areas
The demographic challenge is a problem in Spain where photovoltaics can play a very important role. The construction and maintenance of “agrovoltaic” projects involves relying on local labor, personnel who are usually trained by the company itself to carry out the projects. In this way, the locality benefits from training for its inhabitants in a job with great future and potential, improving their quality of life. Additionally, there are many companies that are also committed to groups with labor insertion difficulties, which prioritize the contracting of goods and services nearby, or the use of national components or services, giving priority to local suppliers.
5. Increases the value of the land
The area on which solar panels are grown and installed increases in economic value. In addition to the fact that the structures and equipment have a guaranteed useful life of more than 25 years, the land becomes an electricity-producing plant which, depending on the conditions, can inject the energy produced into the electricity grid, thus also receiving economic benefits.
The future of photovoltaics
Addressing climate change is the great challenge of our generation. To this end, the integration of renewable energy sources, which are young and constantly growing technologies, must take place under the best possible conditions for everyone.
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Unlike conventional sources, photovoltaics offers a series of social and environmental benefits that make it a fundamental technology for meeting this great challenge.
Undoubtedly, and given that the availability of land is not infinite, incorporating photovoltaics on agricultural land is essential for the future of both sectors, energy and agriculture, and the best news is that the benefits for both are numerous.
