How Solar Panels Are Boosting Agricultural Yields

In a world where tradition often collides with innovation, the challenge of persuading farmers to adopt cutting-edge technologies is nothing short of Herculean. Agriculture, an industry rooted in centuries-old practices, is understandably slow to change. Yet, with global environmental crises escalating, the need to embrace novel approaches like agrovoltaics is increasingly urgent.

A recent gathering of experts at UNAM's Coordination of International Relations and Affairs (CRAI) focused on this very issue. Their discussions highlighted the role of new technologies in transforming agriculture, bolstering food security, and building climate resilience—all without forsaking the essence of traditional farming.

At the heart of this innovative discussion is agrovoltaics—a technology that marries solar energy generation with agriculture. By installing elevated solar panels above farmland, it becomes possible to harness sunlight for power generation while still cultivating crops or allowing cattle to graze below. This dual-use approach has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the efficiency of land use, particularly in regions facing limited space for solar farms.

Hanni Arnon, Executive Director of the Arava International Center for Agricultural Training (AICAT), emphasized the importance of engaging the next generation in these new farming technologies. For many in developing countries, traditional methods have worked for generations, and thus, there’s a natural hesitance to deviate. “They just need to ask the right questions and look for a solution,” Arnon insisted, noting that educating young people in innovative techniques is key to overcoming the inertia of tradition.

One of the AICAT program's primary goals is to empower young people from around the globe to not only learn but implement these technologies. Arnon proudly shared that AICAT hosts over a thousand students each year, with more than 24,000 graduates from countries as diverse as Indonesia, Fiji, Liberia, and Vietnam. These students leave with skills in agriculture, business, and food security, preparing them to become leaders in their home countries.

Beyond the technical skills, each student develops a business plan for implementing their new knowledge. They then report back on their progress after a year, ensuring that these innovations aren't merely academic but practical and adaptable to local conditions. The intention is clear: young agriculturalists will drive the future of farming, not only by adopting new technologies like agrovoltaics but also by making these systems accessible and viable in their unique contexts.

A Growing, Yet Reluctant, Global Movement

While the potential of agrovoltaics is immense, it is not universally embraced. Mark Smith, CEO of Carbon Country LLC, noted that in the United States, interest in agrovoltaics remains modest. "Communities are still not usually interested in it," he observed, reflecting a broader reluctance that echoes the resistance seen in other parts of the world. Smith's company has developed a model to reduce emissions by integrating solar panels with traditional farming. For him, global collaboration—especially with institutions like UNAM—is the next step in overcoming this reticence and spreading agrovoltaic technology to farming communities across borders.

This sentiment was echoed by Greg Barron-Gafford, Director of Research at Biosphere 2, who argued that the key to success lies in education. He has found that producers are often wary of change, particularly when it involves something as fundamental as their water supply. Many farmers fear that agrovoltaics could negatively affect their access to water or their crop yields. Barron-Gafford’s approach focuses on showing them that it is possible to do things differently without sacrificing their livelihoods.

Israel’s experience with agrovoltaics provides another telling example. According to Elli Groner, leader of the Center for Arid Socio-Ecology at the Arava Institute, the country has only recently embraced agrovoltaics on a commercial scale. Israel’s limited land space makes this technology a necessity, and farmers are starting to see the benefits of embracing innovation. For Groner, the only way forward is for farmers to improve through the adoption of technologies like agrovoltaics. "What we have available is capable of generating an extra connection," she emphasized, urging more agricultural workers to bet on this new approach.

One of the most significant obstacles to widespread adoption of agrovoltaics is not merely cultural or educational but financial. As Teresa de León Zamora, a researcher at Tecnológico de Monterrey and the Biosphere2 project, pointed out, there are already numerous capital funds in both the United States and Latin America dedicated to promoting food security and agrovoltaic technologies. However, the key question is not just where the money comes from, but how best to use it.

De León Zamora’s research examines the most effective business models to bring agrovoltaic technologies to rural and communal farming areas, known as ejidos in Mexico. Should companies focus on buying land? Forming alliances with producers or universities? Or working with government entities like the Federal Electricity Commission? These are the critical questions that will determine how quickly and widely agrovoltaic technology spreads.

As the climate crisis intensifies, the need for resilient agricultural practices becomes ever more urgent. Agrovoltaics offers a tantalizing glimpse of a future where sustainable energy production and food security go hand in hand. But for this vision to be realized, there must be a concerted effort from governments, educational institutions, and private enterprises alike.

The experts gathered at UNAM’s CRAI all agree on one thing: collaboration across borders and disciplines is crucial. Whether through student programs like AICAT, multinational partnerships like those proposed by Mark Smith, or the capital investment models researched by De León Zamora, the future of farming hinges on embracing new technologies and working together to implement them on a global scale.

This is not just about transforming agriculture—it’s about reimagining our relationship with the planet. And in that sense, the stakes could not be higher. Tradition may be the foundation upon which many farming communities stand, but innovation will be the key to their survival in an increasingly uncertain world.