Agriculture + Photovoltaics = Agrivoltaics

​Hawai’i's Climate Action Plan propels the exploration of agrivoltaic systems that merge solar energy and agriculture. Our two-phase project evaluates various crop feasibilities under solar panels, emphasizing indigenous varieties. The research's benefits, like maximized land use and local food security, combined with specific recommendations, aim to guide local farmers and policy decisions, reinforcing Hawai’i's strides in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.
​Agrivoltaics, also known as agrophotovoltaics, refers to the co-development of the same area of land for both solar photovoltaic power as well as for agriculture. This approach leverages the synergy between these two land uses to enhance the productivity of the land, increasing both renewable energy production and food cultivation that might otherwise compete for the same space.
Key Features
  • Dual-Use of Land: allow for the simultaneous cultivation of crops and generation of solar power from the same parcel of land.
  • Synergistic Benefits: create a beneficial microclimate for crops, potentially enhancing growth conditions. For instance, the shade provided by solar panels can reduce water evaporation and create a more humid environment for crops. while the crops can also cool panels through evapotranspiration, increasing the panels efficiency.
  • Biodiversity: These systems can foster greater biodiversity compared to monoculture cropping systems or solar parks alone, as they create varied habitats with different light and moisture conditions.
Our project

In line with the Paris Climate Agreement, Hawai’i has crafted a rigorous Climate Action Plan (CAP). To achieve the CAP's net-zero carbon targets, Hawai’i aims to draw 40% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, escalating to 70% by 2040. Meeting these targets necessitates innovative solutions that cater to varied land use challenges and enhance land-use efficiency. Agrivoltaic (AV) systems, which synergize solar energy production and agriculture on the same tract of land, emerge as a promising avenue. The research project is funded from three private energy companies: Clearway, Longroad Energy, and AES. Traditionally competitors, these firms unified their efforts to enhance and uplift Hawai'i's agricultural sector.  With the broader goal of merging sustainable energy with agriculture, these companies recognized the significance of agrivoltaic systems. By supporting our research, they showcased a collaborative commitment to bolstering local food production while simultaneously advancing Hawai’i's renewable energy targets.
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Our research seeks to offer data that sheds light on AV systems' potential in assisting local farmers with the transition, generating innovative yield data for tropical agrivoltaics, and informing policies. The ultimate objective is the seamless fusion of agrivoltaics into Hawai’i's agricultural fabric, simultaneously enhancing local food production and meeting renewable energy milestones.
​Our Goals:
- Prioritize Data: Continue meticulous data collection to validate agrivoltaic efficiency within Hawai’i's unique context.
- Engage Local Stakeholders: Collaborate with local farmers, businesses, and policymakers for a more holistic and grounded project approach.
- Expand Crop Research: After the initial focus on lettuce, consider exploring other crops vital for local consumption.
- Public Outreach: Bolster public awareness about agrivoltaics’ benefits to ensure broader acceptance and adoption.


Applications
  • Crop Production: Many different types of crops can be grown in agrivoltaic systems, including food crops, forage crops, and pollinator-friendly plants.
  • Livestock Grazing: In some agrivoltaic systems, the areas between solar panels are used for livestock grazing.
  • Aquaculture: Agrivoltaic systems can also incorporate aquaculture, creating systems where solar panels are installed over fishponds.

​Benefits
  • Increased Total Land Productivity: By producing both food and energy from the same piece of land, agrivoltaic systems can substantially increase the total productivity of the land.
  • Water-Saving: By reducing direct sunlight on crops and decreasing evaporation, agrivoltaics can help to save water.
  • Economic Benefits: Farmers can enjoy diversified income streams, benefiting from both the sale of agricultural products and the sale of electricity.
  • Costs associated with leases, water, and post-harvest processing facilities could be subsidized with the right AgSolar partnerships.
  • Farmer and farm worker health can be positively affected with the shade provided by the panels.

Challenges
  • High Initial Costs: Setting up agrivoltaic systems can involve substantial initial investments.
  • Complexity: Managing agrivoltaic systems can be more complex compared to traditional agricultural or photovoltaic systems, requiring knowledge in both fields.
  • Research and Development: The field is relatively new, and more research is needed to optimize system designs and understand the best practices for different contexts.
  • On-boarding farmers into a novel system.

Benefits of AV Systems in Hawai’i:
- Maximized Land Use: AV systems offer dual utility — fostering renewable energy generation while promoting local food production.
- Local Food Security: By supporting local agricultural endeavors, AV systems can decrease Hawai’i's reliance on imported food.
- Climate Resilience: Partial shading from solar panels could be advantageous to crops, providing protection from excessive sunlight and potentially conserving water.
- Boosted Solar Efficiency: The cooling effect from plants has been shown to elevate solar panel efficiency, which may wane under high temperatures.
- Potentially increasing water use efficiency by reduction in evaporation from the shade provided by the panels.
- Increasing farmer health by allowing farmers to work in the shade provided by the panels, lowering body temperature throughout the workday.

During the project's first phase, we ascertained the feasibility of large-scale aquaponic lettuce production within AV systems. A pilot involved setting up four hydroponic troughs in an operational solar farm equipped with auto-tracking ground panels. Nestled between solar arrays, these troughs enabled growth data collection for five hydroponic lettuce varieties. This approach aims to understand their economic viability and pinpoint optimal genotypes for expansive cultivation.

We've also embarked on rigorous in-ground crop testing under the most challenging light conditions, especially beneath the solar panels. Our experiments span over 30 vegetable varieties, encompassing broccoli, green onions, leafy greens, and more. Special attention is also given to crops like eggplant, lavender, poha berries, and those that attract pollinators.

Insights from this preliminary analysis, the project's second phase crafts a holistic crop plan with substantial market potential for broader commercial applications.

Our demonstration site accentuates the importance of indigenous and staple crops like taro and sweet potatoes, with an aim to understand their yields in such settings. Additionally, we're exploring the long-term feasibility of diverse crops, such as specific asparagus varieties endorsed by CTAHR, Pipturus albidus (māmaki), and trellised crops like vanilla maile, log mushrooms, nursery crop production, and vermicast production. 

For tours, funding opportunities, or more information please contact Juli Burden [email protected] or Giselle Bryant at j[email protected]
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