The world is rapidly shifting towards solar energy. In addition to its obvious advantages, such as environmental friendliness and the use of advanced technologies, a new opportunity arises—the synergy of solar stations with agriculture. In the context of Uzbekistan, this approach can find promising applications.
What is agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics is a unique concept that combines the production of solar energy and agricultural products on the same land. Installing solar panels above agricultural lands allows for farming while generating clean energy, thereby maximizing the beneficial use of land without harming the crop yield.
This approach offers numerous benefits—it reduces the need for additional land to be allocated for solar farms, supports the local economy through job creation, and can even enhance agricultural productivity. Crops such as pumpkins, corn, and mushrooms thrive well in the shade of solar stations, and sheep or yaks can graze there as well. Moreover, the crops cool the soil, improving the efficiency of solar modules.
At the forefront of agrivoltaics
Trina Solar, one of the leading companies in smart photovoltaic solutions and energy storage systems, recently launched a similar project in the Japanese city of Fukutiyama. Developed by the company’s international division, it represents an important step in demonstrating the synergy between renewable energy and agriculture.
The station in Fukutiyama comprises 3,392 Vertex N 720W modules, created using advanced technologies to achieve maximum efficiency. The system is expected to generate 2,700 megawatt-hours of clean energy annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1,760 tons. The agricultural component of the project involves growing Japanese yam, which thrives in the shade of solar modules due to its low light requirements. The shade from the modules also reduces moisture evaporation from the soil, which is essential for yam cultivation, typically done in the humid conditions of flooded fields. This way, not only is efficient land use made possible, but also the necessary microclimate for crop growth is created.
Why it is important for Uzbekistan
Agriculture forms the backbone of Uzbekistan's economy. Like solar energy, it benefits from the abundance of sunlight generously provided by the country. Recent initiatives confirm ambitious plans for the development of the agricultural sector. For instance, the European Union is allocating 20 million euros to support the implementation of the National Strategy for Agricultural Development for 2020-2030, aimed at strengthening this key economic sector, which is also a primary source of employment.
This summer, during a meeting with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a three-year plan was proposed to create industrial orchards and vineyards on an area of 75,000 hectares of inefficient gardens and 100,000 hectares of low-yield lands. These projects will receive preferential loans through the Agricultural Fund, which will be an important support for implementing these initiatives.
However, the country faces a growing challenge of water scarcity. The national report on the state of the environment, created under the guidance of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, notes that this is linked to population growth, increased demand for food and energy, as well as the consequences of climate change. These challenges necessitate the introduction of sustainable solutions that can simultaneously address resource scarcity and reduce environmental impact.
New opportunities
Agrivoltaics offers a strategy for dual land use, combining solar energy production with agriculture. Given the ambitious plans of the Uzbek government to expand solar energy, this approach could be key to improving land use productivity, reducing water consumption, and implementing sustainable farming practices. It aligns perfectly with Uzbekistan's goals for the development of both renewable energy sources and agriculture, paving the way for resource optimization and economic stimulation.
The innovative Trina Solar PV+ model has been the foundation of the previously mentioned project in Japan. The modules are installed at a minimum height of 2.35 meters, and the spacing between rows allows for the use of agricultural machinery, such as tractors and cultivators. This engineering solution ensures the continuity of agricultural work beneath the structure, promotes rational land use, and benefits the local economy.
However, the Japanese project is far from being the only success story for Trina Solar. The company is at the forefront of agrivoltaics worldwide. For example, in collaboration with leading New Zealand energy company Lodestone Energy, a large photovoltaic station, Kohirā, was launched in the region. This project was significant as it not only combined Trina Solar modules and TrinaTracker solar tracking systems in a unified system for the first time in Oceania but also set a new standard for integration and innovation in solar energy.
One of the most notable aspects of the Kohirā solar station is the implementation of agrivoltaics, made possible by using TrinaTracker's Vanguard 2P trackers. Their design provides sufficient distance between panel rows and a minimum height of 2 meters, creating optimal conditions for combining solar energy production with agricultural activities, such as sheep grazing or growing crops in the shade of the modules. This dual-purpose system not only maximizes land use efficiency but also supports local agricultural initiatives—a method that holds immense potential for regions like Uzbekistan, where rational land use is crucial.
Another example of how solar energy can integrate with traditional industries is a 70-megawatt aquaculture photovoltaic station in China's Hubei province, built using Trina Solar's ultra-powerful Vertex 600W+ modules. This project transformed saline muddy lands into efficient fish farms. Solar panels installed above the ponds not only generate energy but also help regulate water temperature, reducing fish mortality rates. These projects—from aquaculture to agriculture—demonstrate that solar energy can serve as a foundation for sustainable development across various sectors.
A photovoltaic project in the fishing grounds of Cangzhou.
Drawing inspiration from such successful projects worldwide, Uzbekistan can realize its potential for adopting similar strategies. Agrivoltaics has the capability to help the country effectively utilize its land resources, accelerate agricultural development, and promote goals for transitioning to green energy. With advanced technologies and innovative approaches, the country can strengthen the resilience of its agricultural sector in the face of climate challenges while stimulating economic growth.
“The unique combination of abundant sunlight and rich agricultural traditions makes Uzbekistan an ideal country for implementing agrivoltaic solutions. We are confident that with our significant experience and advanced photovoltaic technologies, we can successfully collaborate with Uzbekistan's renewable energy sector to achieve equally impressive results as we have already observed in other countries. This will support the country's renewable energy development goals,” emphasized Elva Wang, director of the South, Southeast, and Central Asia group at Trina Solar Asia Pacific.
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