AgriPV: Land sharing for agriculture and photovoltaic solar power generation

Climate variability affects agricultural production in Chile, especially in regions where water availability is critical. To address these vulnerabilities, climate change adaptation and mitigation measures need to get implemented. In this context, AgriPV is an innovative combination of agriculture and solar photovoltaic energy able to address some of the cross-sectoral challenges associated with climate change in the country.

This technology consists in installing solar panels on surfaces used for agriculture, which promotes food and water security, climate resilience and distributed micro-electricity generation. It also generates energy near or at points of demand, and provides shade and protection for intensive cultivation and fruit crops against evapotranspiration, hail and frost.

In collaboration with Fraunhofer Chile Research and GIZ Chile, in the framework of the Energy Partnership Chile-Germany, and the Universidad de Federico Santa María, a policy brief on agro-photovoltaic systems and their application in Chile was elaborated. This document highlights the importance of this innovative technology and offers concrete policy recommendations to promote its use in Chile, including legal, financial and collaborative aspects, such as:

●       Adapt the Chilean regulatory framework to define AgriPV and address the interaction between food production and renewable energy generation on the same land with agricultural activity, taking international regulations as an example. 

●       Consider AgriPV in R&D&I calls and national funds managed by entities such as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Energy to accelerate the development of AgriPV solutions adapted to the local context. 

●       Form a working group with multidisciplinary actors, including SAG, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Energy, the National Irrigation Commission and research entities, to address policy issues and harness the socio-economic benefits of AgriPV technology in a controlled manner with a long-term vision.

The policy briefing event was also attended by the National Irrigation Commission and the German solar association BSW Solar.