Blending agriculture and solar could benefit Nova Scotia, experts say
Solar panels on farmland could bring numerous advantages to Nova Scotia, as per advocates for renewable energy. Agrivoltaics, a term formed by combining agriculture and voltaic cells, involves using land for both solar energy production and farming activities. This concept has been successfully implemented in countries like Germany, China, Japan, France, and the United States, sparking interest in its potential application in Nova Scotia.
Rochelle Owens, a solar consultant with 35 years of experience, highlighted the benefits of using solar panels in agriculture at the Atlantic Canada Solar Summit in Halifax. She emphasized how solar panels can protect crops from harsh weather conditions like heavy rain or hail, provide shade for livestock during extreme heat, and mitigate the impact of droughts. Additionally, Owens pointed out that integrating solar panels into farmland could generate additional revenue for farmers and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing dependency on fossil fuels.
Despite the growing adoption of solar energy in Nova Scotia, agrivoltaics is not yet prevalent in the province. However, there are over 10,000 solar installations in Nova Scotia, a significant increase from just 200 installations in 2018, indicating a positive trend in renewable energy adoption. David Brushett, the board chair of Solar Nova Scotia, commended farmers in the province for their proactive approach to solar energy adoption, noting a strong interest in solar technologies within the agricultural sector.
With 29% of Nova Scotia’s land classified as agricultural, there is considerable potential for farmers to explore the integration of solar panels into their farming practices. Geoff Larkin, a climate change adaptation coordinator and cattle farmer in Middle Musquodoboit, sees agrivoltaics as an innovative strategy to adapt to climate change. He emphasized the importance of education and collaboration between government entities and stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of agrivoltaics among farmers.
A potential pilot project at Dalhousie University’s agricultural campus in Truro, Nova Scotia, could provide valuable insights into the feasibility and benefits of agrivoltaics for local farmers. Stephanie MacPhee, the executive director of the university’s Office of Sustainability, shared research findings indicating that agrivoltaics would have minimal impact on most crops grown at the campus and could even boost yields for some crops. MacPhee expressed interest in conducting a pilot project at the campus to serve as a blueprint for future agrivoltaics initiatives in Nova Scotia, aiming to showcase the technology, gather feedback, and inspire further interest in sustainable farming practices.
