Volta Swiss’ Post

💬 REA responds to Secretary of State Claire Coutinho's written statement on planning guidance for solar on agricultural land Nina Skorupska CBE FEI, CEO of the REA, said: “We need all the tools and technologies available to us to reach #NetZero and we know that #solar remains a highly popular technology with the general public. While we understand that land use must be planned carefully and do not want to see the loss of productive land, the existing planning guidance already ensures this, by banning solar farms on the best quality farmland and considering ‘cumulative development’ concerns." Read the full comment here: https://lnkd.in/et4wPC-k   

Can solar energy and agriculture co-exist? There are concerns about the impact of solar arrays on rural landscapes, property values, land use and local economies. Read more on the challenges and opportunities in solar: https://lnkd.in/gHVAMum4  #Solar #Agrivoltaics

Agri-PV isn’t just good for your crops—it’s also good for the solar system itself! 🌞 A new study by Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE revealed that, thanks to the cooling effect of the underlying plants, Agri-PV systems produce MORE electricity than previously assumed! As if you needed another reason to adopt Agri-PV. 😅 Click the link below to learn more about Fraunhofer ISE’s research. #WeSupportSolar #SolarPower #AgriPV P.S. Want guidance on where to start your Agri-PV journey? We’ve got you covered. Click here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eQAR8Bi4

The Government of Alberta is gathering input about renewable energy development on agricultural land. The pause on renewable energy development was lifted February 29, 2024. The Government committed to advance policy, legislation and regulatory changes to support an “Agriculture First” approach to renewable energy development before the end of 2024. This means Alberta will no longer permit utility scale renewable energy development on the best agricultural lands, unless crop and/or livestock production can coexist alongside the development. Criteria used to establish agricultural land suitability will minimize risk to Alberta’s privately owned native grasslands and ensure agricultural land (including irrigable and productive agricultural land) remains available to safeguard sustainable food production now and in the future. This questionnaire is an opportunity to provide input on developing utility scale renewable energy on privately owned agricultural land. Please note, renewable energy development on Crown Land is out of scope for this engagement. Your input will be used to determine criteria to identify the suitability of agricultural land for renewable energy development. Before completing the questionnaire, watch the 15 minute webinar recordinghttps://lnkd.in/gK_4m9Vc to learn more. The survey will take 15 to 20 minutes to complete and closes August 14, 2024. Take the survey here: https://lnkd.in/g87_qVxK

The Irish Solar Energy Association has called for the incoming government to create a new framework to support agri voltaics - the practice of combining agriculture with renewable energy. https://lnkd.in/eRR68uGa

This latest Farm Progress article addresses the concerns and impact of Agrivoltaics, which refers to mixing agricultural practices and solar panels on the same land. Learn more about it's influence on land values and use here - https://lnkd.in/gHVAMum4

Balancing renewable energy and agricultural land use in Serbia: Challenges and solutions https://lnkd.in/dGi8tMRn

The Government of Alberta is gathering input about renewable energy development on agricultural land. The pause on renewable energy development was lifted February 29, 2024. The Government committed to advance policy, legislation and regulatory changes to support an “Agriculture First” approach to renewable energy development before the end of 2024. This means Alberta will no longer permit utility scale renewable energy development on the best agricultural lands, unless crop and/or livestock production can coexist alongside the development. Criteria used to establish agricultural land suitability will minimize risk to Alberta’s privately owned native grasslands and ensure agricultural land (including irrigable and productive agricultural land) remains available to safeguard sustainable food production now and in the future. This questionnaire is an opportunity to provide input on developing utility scale renewable energy on privately owned agricultural land. Please note, renewable energy development on Crown Land is out of scope for this engagement. Your input will be used to determine criteria to identify the suitability of agricultural land for renewable energy development. Before completing the questionnaire, watch the 15 minute webinar recordinghttps://lnkd.in/gK_4m9Vc to learn more. The survey will take 15 to 20 minutes to complete and closes August 14, 2024. Take the survey here: https://lnkd.in/g87_qVxK

The Government of Alberta is gathering input about renewable energy development on agricultural land. The pause on renewable energy development was lifted February 29, 2024. The Government committed to advance policy, legislation and regulatory changes to support an “Agriculture First” approach to renewable energy development before the end of 2024. This means Alberta will no longer permit utility scale renewable energy development on the best agricultural lands, unless crop and/or livestock production can coexist alongside the development. Criteria used to establish agricultural land suitability will minimize risk to Alberta’s privately owned native grasslands and ensure agricultural land (including irrigable and productive agricultural land) remains available to safeguard sustainable food production now and in the future. This questionnaire is an opportunity to provide input on developing utility scale renewable energy on privately owned agricultural land. Please note, renewable energy development on Crown Land is out of scope for this engagement. Your input will be used to determine criteria to identify the suitability of agricultural land for renewable energy development. Before completing the questionnaire, watch the 15 minute webinar recordinghttps://lnkd.in/gK_4m9Vc to learn more. The survey will take 15 to 20 minutes to complete and closes August 14, 2024. Take the survey here: https://lnkd.in/g87_qVxK

✔️ Agrivoltaics is the innovative practice of combining solar panels with agricultural land ✔️ An Action Group by IEA PVPS aims to enhance international collaboration and expand knowledge of agrivoltaics ✔️ Challenges such as legal issues, costs and public support are being addressed by this Group Prepare to be swept away by the brilliance of agrivoltaics—a potent melding of agriculture and solar power that’s revolutionizing sustainable energy practices. Imagine solar panels strategically nestled between crops, optimizing land use to an impressive degree. This is the vision that has the solar and agricultural sectors buzzing with excitement. The International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA PVPS) has set up an Action Group geared towards fostering international collaborations and expediting our comprehension of agrivoltaics. There are certain impediments to overcome, including legal complications, upfront costs, and gaining wide public acceptance. However, the Action Group is dedicating its energy and expertise to overcome these obstacles. Primed to broaden agrivoltaics knowledge, the Group is eager to blend existing research & practices to enhance agricultural resilience and establish societal consensus on solar energy adoption. It's a comprehensive mission that aligns perfectly with the latest developments in solar energy and farming. By November 2025, their efforts will culminate in a public report detailing the current status and global trends in agrivoltaics. In essence, agrivoltaics represents a promising avenue in the quest for sustainable clean energy. Stay engaged with the solar industry's exciting developments on this front. For more information on selling solar virtually across the USA visit www.tstpros.com.