Experts discover breakthrough benefit of installing solar panels on aquaculture farms: “A win-win solution”

Installing solar panels on fish farms could increase seafood harvests by 50% while generating massive amounts of clean electricity, according to a new study from China.

As the World Resources Institute details, it’s an exciting example of how solar energy can help us create a cleaner, healthier future that benefits both people and the planet.

The study focused on aquaculture near the mouth of the Yellow River in China’s Shandong Province. In 2021, solar panels were installed a few meters above the water to generate clean energy. The results were astonishing.

The solar installation now generates 260 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity per year—enough to power 113,000 homes. Meanwhile, the panels’ shade keeps water 3.6 to 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit cooler, which has led to a 50 percent increase in shrimp and sea cucumber yields.

The solar company also pays to lease the space, which helps fund infrastructure improvements at the farm.

This integration of solar and aquaculture, known as “agrivoltaics,” shows that solar panels can do more than just generate clean energy. They can also help protect crops and animals from excessive heat and sunlight, reduce water evaporation, and even improve crop yields.

Farmers gain an additional benefit in the form of additional income from renting land or lower rent if the situation is reversed.

According to the World Resources Institute, “In a world where global energy demand is skyrocketing and the use of agricultural land for food production is increasingly being displaced by renewable energy projects (such as solar and wind farms or growing crops like corn and soy for biofuels), agrivoltaics has emerged as a win-win solution for sustainable energy and agriculture.”

In addition to the direct benefits to food, agrivoltaics can increase energy independence in rural communities and create new jobs. By optimizing land use for food and clean energy production, everyone can benefit.

With smart policies and committed local leadership, agrivoltaics can accelerate the transition to cleaner energy while strengthening food security in China and beyond. As this study shows, that’s something we can all be excited about.

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