Piloting agrivoltaics: Emerging tech that pays off

Farm operators are finding that practical technology upgrades can deliver strong results when applied strategically. From improving day-to-day decision-making to building resilience against unpredictability, producers are showing that innovation doesn’t have to be flashy to make a difference.

Stacking benefits

Agrivoltaics is an innovation worth considering. It combines electrification and agriculture on the same land via vertically placed bifacial solar panels. Paul Galpern, a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary, says this European-inspired approach holds strong potential for Canadian farms.

“This is truly about co-location because you can have cattle or sheep move through these and do much less damage to the pasture,” Galpern says. “Producers incur fewer weeds and install panels with less disruption to the soil.”

Agrivoltaics combines electrification and agriculture on the same land.

Like any major change, piloting agrivoltaics comes with complexities such as tax, financing and legal considerations. It’s important to seek guidance from trusted advisors before moving forward.

Land that works smarter

With a minimal footprint, bifacial solar panels help preserve soil microbiomes and native grasslands, allowing land to generate electricity without compromising productivity. “It’s possible to increase the income from land without harming it,” Galpern says.

The declining cost of solar technology, along with goals like income diversification, energy independence and climate action, is driving more producers to explore agrivoltaics. The next step could be adapting panels for cropland, spaced to allow crop growth and equipment access.

Beyond agrivoltaics: practical steps for efficiency  

Agrivoltaics is just one of many tools farmers can use to strengthen productivity and resilience. Other proven technologies are helping producers manage weather variability, protect soil health and reduce input costs. For example, on-site weather systems enable real-time decisions to protect crops and livestock during severe weather.

Manure injection is another practice that boosts soil health and reduces reliance on commercial fertilizer. It helps prevent nutrient loss through runoff or volatilization, supporting waterway protection and sustainability goals.

“These factors are coming together now to increase awareness and reduce costs,” Galpern says. “There’s real potential to augment incomes through small changes to practice.”

Many farms are already showing how productivity and sustainability can go hand in hand, strengthening efficiency and resilience through changing conditions. Agrivoltaics can offer another way to make the most of less-productive land by adding a steady source of income.

Smart steps to boost sustainability and profitability

• Track your microclimate. Use on-site weather data to guide harvest, pest, irrigation and livestock decisions.

• Optimize nutrients. Inject manure to build soil, cut fertilizer costs and reduce runoff.

• Pilot agrivoltaics. Test bifacial solar panels for energy gains and suitability for livestock.

• Go beyond efficiency. Choose tools that cut costs and increase your resilience to extreme weather and variable environmental conditions.

• Start small. Trial new practices, measure results, then expand.

From an AgriSuccess article by Trevor Bacque