Solar technology can meet the British electricity demand without reducing agricultural land
New research from the University of Sheffield indicates that the UK can achieve its ambitious goals for solar energy without jeopardizing valuable agricultural land. The study emphasizes the potential of Agrivoltaics, a system that integrates solar panels with agricultural land use, to generate clean energy while retaining food production.
Government plans for a substantial increase in solar parks mounted on the ground have led to controversy among farmers and the public, which are afraid of the loss of productive agricultural land. Concern about food security, the economic impact of agricultural land reduction and the visual transformation of national landscapes have led the opposition against large -scale expansion of solar farms. However, the latest study suggests that Agrivoltaïschens could relieve these issues by allowing the agricultural activities to continue in addition to solar energy generation.
Agrivoltaics comprises the strategic installation of photovoltaic panels in configurations that enable the cultivation of crops and below or between them or between them. The study showed that this approach could independently achieve the goals of the solar goals of the UK and at the same time prevent conflicts for land use.
Professor Sue Hartley, vice-president for research and innovation at the University of Sheffield and a co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of this approach: “The government and developers of solar energy have ambitious plans for the expansion of solar farms, but this risk of the world’s loss that is needed for the food production in a time-producing production Geopolitical uncertainty and climate change.
“Agrivoltaic technology is a potential way out from this dilemma. It enables us to use the same area of land for both food and the production of clean energy, with part of the criticism of sun farms. This technology is regularly used in many areas of the world, including areas such as Scandinavia with less sunlight, but is here.
“Our research identifies the areas in the UK where this technology can be used most effectively, both to reduce conflicts in land use and to deliver the energy needs of the UK.”
The study identifies regions such as Cambridgeshire, Essex, Lincolnshire and the wider East and Southeast -Engand as top locations for Agrivoltaics. These areas benefit from a combination of flat terrain, active agricultural use, strong schedule connectivity and high solar radiation mirrors.
An earlier research project led by the University of Sheffield, with an investment of GBP 1.4 million, has successfully implemented Agrivoltaic systems in Tanzania and Kenya. These systems not only generated low -carbon electricity, but also improved agricultural productivity and water retention. Crops such as corn, chard and beans flourished under the partial shadow of solar panels and benefited from reduced water evaporation and additional irrigation by panel -collected rainwater.
The findings of the UK study are intended to contribute to policy discussions in land use by promoting multifunctional land strategies and to encourage further research into domestic agrivoltaic implementation.
Dr. Richard Randle-Boggis, co-author of the study and currently research scientist at Sintef, noted: “Research into agrivoltaïschens is extensive on mainland Europe, but little has been done in the UK.
“Our next step should be field experiments to test the performance of the systems, to investigate different designs with different crops and better understand the perspectives of local communities and other stakeholders.
“The loss of agricultural land is usually an important reason why communities are opposed to the development of Solar Park in their local areas. Our research takes a leading step to show where solar parks can be developed in addition to agricultural activities, so that agricultural land is not lost.”
Research report:The spatial potential for Agrivoltaïschens to tackle land use conflicts in energy agriculture in Great Britain
