The UK government’s plans to expand ground-mounted solar parks have been met with concerns from farmers and the public about the potential loss of agricultural land, impacts on food production, and effects on the landscape. A study by the University of Sheffield suggests that “agrivoltaics,” a technology that allows for farming beneath or between solar panels, could provide a solution. This technology could enable the simultaneous production of crops, livestock, and renewable energy, meeting the UK’s photovoltaic targets without competing with land needed for food production. The study identifies regions in the East and South East of England as particularly suitable for agrivoltaics due to factors such as flat land availability, agricultural use, grid connectivity, and solar radiation levels. The research aims to inform land use policy and promote multifunctional land use, encouraging further research into domestic agrivoltaics.
Integrating solar panels into farmland could both preserve agricultural land and generate eco-friendly energy
