Agrivoltaics are an essential regenerative investment for several reasons:
Maximizing Land Use Efficiency
Agrivoltaics allow for the simultaneous use of land for both agriculture and solar energy production, maximizing land use efficiency.[2] This enables farmers to generate income from both food production and renewable energy sales, optimizing their resources.[1]
Increased Crop Yields
Agrivoltaics have been shown to increase crop yields by up to 60% in some cases.[2] The solar panels provide shade, reducing water loss through evapotranspiration and heat stress on crops. They also reduce wind speeds, preventing plant damage and further reducing water loss through evaporation.[2]
Reduced Water Usage
By providing shade to crops, agrivoltaics can significantly reduce water usage in agriculture by reducing evapotranspiration.[2] Additionally, solar panels can power irrigation systems, making them more sustainable and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.[2]
Increased Renewable Energy Generation
Agrivoltaics enable the production of renewable energy without requiring additional land, helping to increase overall renewable energy generation and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.[2][4]
Diversification of Income Streams
Agrivoltaics offer farmers the opportunity to diversify their income streams by generating revenue from both agricultural products and renewable energy sales.[2] This can help stabilize their income and increase resilience to economic and environmental shocks.
Climate Change Adaptation
Agrivoltaics can help farmers adapt to climate change by decreasing water requirements, improving crop yields and resistance in extreme weather conditions like droughts.[4]
Land Access for Disadvantaged Groups
Agrivoltaics is being explored as a way to increase land access for historically disadvantaged groups, such as Black and immigrant farmers, by adding farming to existing solar energy sites.[4]
In summary, agrivoltaics are an essential investment because they maximize land use efficiency, increase crop yields and renewable energy generation, reduce water usage, diversify income streams, aid in climate change adaptation, and potentially increase land access for disadvantaged groups.[1][2][4]
Citations:
[1] https://fundingregeneration.earth/investing-in-agrivoltaics/
[2] https://www.harvestreturns.com/blog/2023/4/7/5-reasons-to-invest-in-agrivoltaics
[3] https://www.hdi.global/en-us/infocenter/insights/2022/agrivoltaics/
[4] https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/articles/potential-agrivoltaics-us-solar-industry-farmers-and-communities
Comentarios