Canadian Farmers Cultivate New Revenue Streams with Agrivoltaics

Canadian farmers are increasingly integrating solar energy into their operations, a practice known as agrivoltaics, which allows for simultaneous electricity generation and agricultural production. This innovative approach is diversifying farm incomes, enhancing land use efficiency, and contributing to a more sustainable agricultural sector across the country.

Key Takeaways

• Agrivoltaics combines solar power generation with agricultural activities, creating a dual-use of farmland.

• This integration offers farmers significant new income streams through land leases and the sale of agricultural products.

• Livestock, such as sheep and cattle, are being utilized for vegetation management under solar panels, reducing the need for mowing and preventing potential fire hazards.

• Research is exploring the cultivation of various crops under solar arrays, with some showing improved yields due to a protected micro-environment.

• Government incentives and falling technology costs are driving the adoption of renewable energy solutions on Canadian farms.

Diversifying Farm Incomes with Solar Power

Farmers in rural Canada are finding new avenues for economic stability by embracing agrivoltaics. This model allows them to lease portions of their land for solar power projects, generating substantial lease payments that can far exceed traditional crop revenues, especially in regions prone to drought. For instance, in southern Alberta, land leased for the Travers Solar Project, Canada's largest solar installation, yields between $900 to $1,600 per acre annually, a significant increase compared to the average $70 per acre from dryland crop production.

Livestock as Land Managers

Agrivoltaics is not just about generating electricity; it's also about innovative land management. Raising livestock, particularly sheep, under solar panels has proven effective for controlling vegetation. This practice, known as "solar sheep," helps prevent grass fires and reduces the need for mechanical mowing. Farmers like Eric Steeves in Alberta have transitioned to managing large flocks of sheep for vegetation control at solar sites, creating a new agricultural commodity alongside energy production. Some projects are also experimenting with cattle and even pigs, adapting management techniques like electric fencing to ensure the safety of both the animals and the solar infrastructure.

The Future of Farming and Energy

Beyond livestock, agrivoltaics is being explored for crop production. Research indicates that certain crops can thrive under solar panels, benefiting from a protected micro-environment that reduces wind, hail, and water evaporation. This dual-use approach addresses concerns about prime agricultural land being taken out of production by renewable energy projects. Governments are increasingly recognizing the value of this synergy, with some provinces introducing regulations that encourage or require agricultural integration in new solar developments. Companies are also developing specialized equipment, such as mobile coops for chickens and climate-controlled apiaries for bees, to further integrate diverse agricultural activities within solar farms.

Growing Adoption of Renewable Energy

The trend of Canadian farms adopting renewable energy is accelerating. Statistics show a significant increase in farms producing renewable energy, with solar power leading the way. Lower technology costs and government incentives are key drivers behind this adoption. Farmers are not only reducing their reliance on external power sources but also generating additional income by selling surplus energy back to the grid, thereby diversifying their business models and contributing to Canada's clean energy goals.

Sources

• Solar, sheep provide valuable farm diversification, The Western Producer.

• How agrivoltaics is marrying food production with green energy in Alberta, CBC.

• This Alberta solar field is becoming a high-tech hobby farm on the side, CBC.

• Helping farmers access cheaper power with solar panels, Canada's National Observer.

• Canadian Farmers Embracing Solar and Wind, Farms.com.