How solar farms could operate with agriculture and nature

It is beyond dispute that we need to cease use of fossil fuels for energy to prevent climate breakdown. Energy providers are working towards generating all electricity from 100 per cent zero carbon sources by 2035.

Wind power is the most widespread renewable energy source in the UK but solar energy has the potential to be cheaper and more efficient. Since 1978 photovoltaic (PV) cells in solar panels have been using daylight (it doesn’t have to be sunny!) to create UK electricity. Initially sited on domestic and commercial rooftops, cheaper to run ground mounted panels (solar farms) were developed and by 2013 the UK's first transmission-connected solar farm was feeding electricity into the network.

(Image: Andy Hardie)

There have been concerns about solar farms, for example the Council for Preservation of Rural England suggests that the panels harm the beauty of the natural landscape and as land is a limited resource in the UK, there have been fears that solar farms potentially threaten food security by occupying agricultural land. These fears were recently refuted by the NFU president.

A potential way forward is combining agriculture and solar energy production, where both processes not only use the same space but can complement each other. Globally agrivoltaics – innovative cultivation of crops underneath and around solar panels – is growing fast.

(Image: Contributor)

Solar panels are mounted above the ground leaving space for crops underneath. Some panels can rotate or form a canopy to adjust the amount of sunlight and shade on the crops which benefit from this protection by preventing them from getting excess sun and reduces water loss from the soil. The growth of leafy greens, root vegetables and berries are particularly enhanced. Additionally, the crops create a cool and humid environment, improving the performance of the solar panels so they can generate ten per cent more electricity when they are above crops compared to bare ground.

In mainland Europe, agrivoltaic systems are proving that just a small area can produce substantial amounts of energy. For example, in the Netherlands a system with solar panels over eight acres of raspberry crops is making electricity for 1,250 households. In France a soya bean crop of seven acres grows beneath solar panels producing energy for 1,350 homes. Studies have shown that solar panels placed on one per cent of the world’s farmland suitable for agrivoltaic farming, would meet the global energy demand.

Although not strictly agrivoltaic, solar grazing is another option – letting livestock, usually sheep, graze on grass safely around the solar panels. This helps the solar farm owners to keep the grass short, preventing fire hazards, and the sheep can shelter in the shade of the panels.

(Image: Contributor)

Currently there are no fully agrivoltaic projects in the UK although there are solar beekeeping projects, growing wildflowers under PVs with adjacent beehives for honey harvesting. Potentially as well as a solution to the energy crisis, solar farms could assist our dwindling biodiversity. Research has proven that solar farms are ideal habitats for bees and other wildlife and so could be used in conservation to boost pollinator populations.

In thinking globally and acting locally, Climate Action Stokesley & Villages aims to raise our community’s awareness of initiatives which boost biodiversity and fight climate change. Our next Repair Cafe is on October 12, with our monthly meeting and hedgehog conservation talk on October 15, both at the Globe, Stokesley – see www.casav.uk for more details.