A new study by the University of Sheffield suggests that ambitious plans to expand solar farms in the UK can be achieved without sacrificing farmland by using a technology called agrivoltaics. This technology integrates solar panels into farmland, allowing for agriculture and solar energy production to coexist. The study found that agrivoltaics could meet the UK’s solar energy targets four times over without using high-quality agricultural land. The technology has been used in other parts of the world, including Scandinavia, and has been shown to boost crop yields and conserve water in areas vulnerable to climate change. The study suggests that agrivoltaics could be deployed in regions such as Cambridgeshire, Essex, and Lincolnshire, where flat land is available and agricultural use is extensive. The researchers advocate for more research and field experiments to test the technology and gauge community perspectives. The study aims to inform land use policy debates and promote multifunctional land use, finding a balance between food production and renewable energy generation.
Astudy suggests that solar energy could power the UK’s entire electricity demand without needing to sacrifice arable land – Eurasia Review. Or, if you’d like a slightly different tone: According to a new research, solar power could meet the UK’s electricity needs while preserving its agricultural land – Eurasia Review.
