Agrivoltaics in Ontario Canada: Promise and Policy

Well-intentioned regulations to protect Canada’s most productive farmland restrict large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development. The recent innovation of agrivoltaics, which is the co-development land for both PV and agriculture, makes these obsolete. Burgeoning agrivoltaics research has shown agricultural benefits, including increased yield a wide range crops, plant protection from excess energy hail, improved water conservation, while maintaining employment local food supplies. In addition, renewable electricity generation decreases greenhouse gas emissions increasing farm revenue. As Canada, Ontario in particular, at strategic disadvantage agriculture without this study investigates policy changes necessary capitalize on benefits using Ontario. Land-use policies are reviewed. Then, three case studies (peppers, sweet corn, winter wheat) analysed agrivoltaic potential These results conjunction with that would continue green-belt Golden Horseshoe, enabling Four areas discussed: development, enhanced education/public awareness, mechanisms support farmers converting as source trade surplus U.S.