Supporting Farmers and Addressing Climate Challenges: A Win-Win Solution
Central Europe has the potential to generate as much as 191 TWh of electricity each year by integrating solar panels into agricultural practices, as highlighted in a recent report by the think-tank Ember. This output surpasses Poland’s total electricity consumption in 2022.
This innovative approach, known as agrivoltaics or agri-PV, combines solar energy production with agricultural activities. While Japan has embraced this method with around 2,000 installations, it remains largely untapped in Europe. Ember’s report urges investment and strategic initiatives to enhance agri-PV adoption in Central Europe.
According to a 2023 European Commission report, Europe could harness 1,000 GW of agri-PV capacity. In comparison, the EU’s solar strategy aims for a total of 590 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity by 2030. As NGOs criticize the insufficient climate action plans of Central and Eastern European countries, agri-PV presents a viable option for these nations to reduce carbon emissions.
Ember’s findings indicate that utilizing just 9% of the potential agri-PV capacity could entirely meet the electricity demands of agriculture and food processing in Central Europe. However, several countries in the region, including Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, lack regulations governing agri-PV. In contrast, Western European nations have implemented policies that allow shared land use for agriculture and solar energy production without jeopardizing agricultural subsidies, resulting in 200 active projects.
Pawel Czyzak, Ember’s Regional Lead for Central and Eastern Europe, emphasized the necessity for specific legislation, stating that farmers currently face the dilemma of converting agricultural land for industrial use to install solar panels, which would lead to the loss of crucial farming subsidies from the Common Agriculture Policy.
Agri-PV offers various environmental, agricultural, and economic benefits. Installing solar panels over crops not only generates energy but also provides shade, helps in rainwater harvesting, and allows continued farming activities. Farmers can earn a consistent income through electricity production or by leasing their land for solar energy.
However, not all crops benefit from partial shading, as some types of fruits and vegetables thrive only in direct sunlight. The installation of solar panels within fields also raises safety concerns and risks damaging farming equipment. Additionally, there are concerns that farmers may shift away from traditional farming practices and rely solely on the income from electricity sales, which can be more stable and require less time investment.
In conclusion, agrivoltaics represents a promising avenue for energy production and agricultural sustainability in Central Europe, provided that appropriate regulations and strategies are implemented to encourage its development.
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John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.