Skip to content
How Long Do Commercial Solar Panels Last?
WHAT IS AGROVOLTAIC FARMING?
Agrovoltaic Farming also known as agrivoltaics, is a groundbreaking approach that combines agriculture and solar energy production on the same piece of land.
By installing solar panels above crops or grazing areas, farmers can generate renewable electricity while continuing to nurture the land.
This advanced method helps increase land use, support farm income, and endorse the transition to clean energy.
With rising global populations, the demand for sustainable food and clean energy is higher than ever. An Agrovoltaic System offer a practical way to address both challenges, making land use far more efficient.
Recent years have seen rapid growth in solar energy capacity worldwide, demonstrating its rising importance in the energy sector. However, Agrovoltaic Systems are still relatively rare on farms, presenting a significant opportunity for expansion. Research indicates that combining solar panels with farming can make land use almost twice as efficient compared to using the land for just one purpose.
In the UK, for example, increasing the adoption of Agrovoltaics could help the country achieve its renewable energy targets while providing additional support to the agricultural community.
Solar panels also provide shade for crops, which helps to conserve water and shield plants from harsh weather conditions. This can lead to healthier harvests and greater resilience for farms.
TYPES OF AGROVOLTAIC GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR PV SOLUTIONS Systems
We have separated the three main types of systems:
Elevated systems
Elevated systems involve mounting solar panels several feet above crops - often at a height of six feet or more.
This setup shields plants from harsh weather and limits direct sunlight, making it well-suited for crops such as berries, grapes, and apples.
Inter-row systems
Inter-row systems feature crops growing in the spaces between rows of solar panels. While these offer less protection from the elements, they ensure crops receive more sunlight. This approach works especially well for grasses, cereal grains, and healthy vegetables like broccoli and kale.
Combination systems
Combination systems merge elevated and inter-row designs, allowing farmers to customise layouts that balance sunlight and shade, enhancing both crop growth and solar energy generation for different farm needs.
BENEFITS OF AGROVOLTAICS
This system offers many advantages, including:
Enhanced Crop Production
Combining solar panels with agriculture can lead to notable improvements in crop yields. Depending on the crop type, research has shown increases ranging from 20% to 60%. For example, certain vegetables, such as peppers, have seen substantial increases in output. The partial shade provided by solar panels helps create a more controlled environment, shielding plants from intense sun and heat and promoting healthier growth.
Sustainable Power Generation
Agrovoltaic setups allow farms to generate renewable electricity while producing crops. Dedicating even a small portion of farmland to solar can have a big impact on energy supply, potentially meeting significant portions of demand and supporting the fight against climate change through lower carbon emissions. Farmers can use this electricity on-site or sell it back to the grid, creating an extra income source and increasing the overall value of their land.
Reduced Environmental Impact
By pairing renewable energy generation with agriculture, agrovoltaics lessens greenhouse gas emissions and helps protect natural landscapes. Studies show these systems can cut carbon emissions by around 12% compared to standard farming methods. There’s also less necessity to convert additional land for solar farms, which supports and preserves existing environments.
Financial Benefits
Agrovoltaic Farming can open up new revenue opportunities. In addition to selling crops, they can profit from the electricity produced by their solar panels or from leasing land for solar installations. In many cases, leasing farmland for solar can bring in much higher returns than traditional farming alone, helping offset installation costs and enhancing overall profitability.
STATISTICS, FACTS, AND FIGURES ABOUT AGROVOLTAICS SOLAR ENERGY
Here are the statistics, facts, and figures about agrovoltaics solar energy that businesses should know.
With ongoing technological improvements, agrovoltaics is prepared to become an essential tool in tackling climate change and supporting global food security.
FIGURES ABOUT AGROVOLTAICS SOLAR ENERGY
Integrating solar panels with farming can raise land-use efficiency to as much as 186% compared to using land for just one purpose.
The dual use of land increases the economic value of agrovoltaic farms by more than 30%, boosting both crop and energy output.
Berries, vegetables, and grains are the most frequently refined crops under solar panels.
Combining solar arrays with agriculture can reduce panel temperatures by 2-6°C, improving energy efficiency.
Farmers’ net income can increase by up to 142% when implementing agrovoltaics.
The typical upfront cost for a 1MWh agrovoltaic system on 5 acres is up to £375,000.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF AGROVOLTAIC ENERGY
Agrivoltaics is a farming approach that integrates solar panels with traditional agriculture by installing elevated solar array above crops or grazing areas. This dual method intends to make better use of available land by generating renewable energy while maintaining agricultural production.
ADVANTAGES:
Efficient Land Use
Agrivoltaic systems help resolve the competition between land for food and land for solar energy, potentially increasing the total productivity of a given area.
Lower Water Demand
The shade provided by solar panels reduces evaporation from the soil, helping conserve water – especially valuable in dry regions.
Stronger Crop Resilience
Many crops benefit from partial shading, which can lower heat stress and decrease the risk of sun-related damage, improving the growth of crops like lettuce and tomatoes.
Better Solar Performance
The presence of crops under the panels can cool the air, which in turn can help solar panels operate more efficiently.
Additional Revenue Streams
Farmers can generate extra income by leasing land for solar installations or by selling the electricity produced, in addition to selling crops or livestock.
DISADVANTAGES:
High Upfront Costs
Specialised mounting structures are necessary to raise panels high enough for farming equipment, increasing the initial investment.
Potential Yield Reduction
Some crops that require full sunlight, such as corn, may not perform as well when grown under panels.
Operational Complexity
Farming around solar infrastructure can make everyday tasks - like planting, harvesting, or moving machinery - more complicated.
Knowledge Gaps
There are still limited long-term studies on the environmental and economic impacts across all types of agriculture.
Soil and Crop Suitability
The altered microclimate under panels may not suit all crops, requiring thoughtful selection and planning.
CAN AGROVOLTAICS SOLAR ENERGY FOR FARMING BE SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, Agrovoltaics improve land use efficiency, creates a protective microclimate for crops, reduces water usage, and provides farmers with consistent revenue, supporting both environmental and economic sustainability.
As the demand for sustainable solutions grows, the connection of agriculture and renewable energy is drawing increasing attention. Agrovoltaics, the practice of combining solar power generation with farming, arises as a compelling answer to both food and energy security challenges, particularly for commercial-scale operations.
One of the key advantages of agrovoltaics is its ability to increase the productivity of available land. Instead of dedicating land solely to crops or solar panels, agrovoltaic systems integrate both, boosting overall land productivity by up to 60%. This approach allows commercial farms to generate clean, renewable energy while continuing to grow crops.
On the energy side, agrovoltaic systems can generate approximately 8 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity per year. This clean energy can power farming operations or be sold back to the grid, lowering the farm’s dependence on fossil fuels and creating a new source of income.
Agrovoltaics is more than just an advanced idea, it’s a proven, scalable solution that addresses the intertwined issues of food production, water use, and clean energy generation. For commercial solar installers and the agricultural sector, investing in agrovoltaic systems represents a forward-thinking strategy that benefits farmers, communities, and the planet.
INVEST IN YOUR BUSINESS WITH AGROVOLTAIC FARMING TODAY
Agrovoltaic Farming presents a unique opportunity for agricultural businesses to future-proof their operations. By embracing advanced solar solutions and working with experienced partners, you can achieve long-term cost savings and noticeable environmental benefits while improving productivity and resilience on your land.
We’re committed to helping you explore how agrovoltaics can fit your farm’s specific needs and sustainability goals. Our free, no-obligation desktop consultation provides bespoke advice from our renewable energy experts, assessing your site, discussing your objectives, and outlining a clear plan to improve both energy and crop output.
Get in touch today at Excel Energy to learn how your business can capitalise on the financial and environmental advantages of an Agrovoltaic System. Together, we can help you make the most of your return on investment and set your farm on a sustainable path for the future!