https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/harvesting-sun-twice-agrivoltaics-shows-promise-sustainable-food-energy-and-water-management-east Skip to main content * Search sheffield.ac.uk [ ] Close menu x News * Latest news * For journalists * Contact the Media and Public Relations Team * For staff * Impacts * Testimonials University of Sheffield homepage * Study + Courses o Undergraduate courses o Postgraduate taught courses o PhD study o Apprenticeships o Mature students o Online learning o TEFL and English as a second language + Studying at Sheffield o Teaching o Facilities o Ranking, reputation and history o Your career prospects o Contact us + Student life o Students' Union - the UK's no. 1 o Clubs, societies and sport o Guide to Sheffield o Support + Accommodation o University residences o Rent o Apply for accommodation + Visit o Undergraduate open days o Postgraduate visits o International visits to your region o Sheffield Live online events o Subject taster sessions for Y12 and Y13 students + Apply o Undergraduate applications o Postgraduate taught applications o PhD applications o Applying as an international student o Visas and immigration + International students o Our international community o How to apply o Visas and immigration o International Summer School + Fees and funding o Undergraduate fees and funding o Postgraduate taught fees o Postgraduate taught funding o PhD fees o PhD scholarships * Research + Research at Sheffield o Our strategic priorities o Our people o Research Excellence Framework 2021 o Researcher support o Research environment and culture o Open Research + Postgraduate research o Find a PhD o PhD projects directory o PhD scholarships + Expertise o Centres of excellence o Facilities o Library + Our impact o Research features o UN sustainable development goals o University Player o Nobel Prizes o Queen's Anniversary Prizes + Contact o Research partnerships and people * Collaborate + Partnerships o How we support business o Examples of business partners o Research centres, institutes and networks o Our role in the city and region + International o Our global networks o We Are International campaign o Global opportunities and exchanges + Alumni o Update your details o Support us o Our alumni o Alumni volunteering + Philanthropy o Forged in Sheffield, Shaping the Future campaign o Get involved o Donate now o MND appeal + Schools and colleges o Virtual schools hub o Activities and events o Sustained programmes o Education partnerships + Contact us o Research partnerships and people o Global Engagement team o Schools and Colleges Liaison team + Hospitality o Conferences, events, visitor accommodation and weddings o Cafes and bars * About + About the University o News o Events o Jobs o Sustainability at Sheffield o Inclusion at Sheffield o Support for refugee students and scholars o Our vision and strategic plan o Our role in the city and region o Governance and management o Rankings o University of the Year o Queen's Anniversary Prizes o Nobel Prize winners + Departments and services o Academic departments o Faculties o Professional services + Studying at Sheffield o Guide to Sheffield o Courses + Hospitality o Conferences, events, visitor accommodation and weddings o Cafes and bars News Menu * Latest news * For journalists * Contact the Media and Public Relations Team * For staff * Impacts * Testimonials You are here * Home * News * Harvesting the sun twice: Agrivoltaics shows promise for sustainable food, energy and water management in East Africa 13 November 2024 Harvesting the sun twice: Agrivoltaics shows promise for sustainable food, energy and water management in East Africa Combining solar power production with agriculture can significantly boost crop yields, conserve water and generate low-carbon electricity for areas particularly vulnerable to climate change, a new study has shown. Field of solar panels with green crops being grown underneath * A new international study, led by the University of Sheffield, found using the same land for both solar energy production and agriculture can generate low-carbon electricity, improve crop yields and reduce water loss * The method, known as agrivoltaics, offers a sustainable solution to the pressing challenges of food insecurity, water scarcity, and energy poverty * By shading crops with solar panels, agrivoltaics creates a microclimate helping certain plants, like beans and maize, to thrive whilst needing less water irrigation * Agrivoltaics can also provide a reliable source of clean energy for rural communities Combining solar power production with agriculture can significantly boost crop yields, conserve water and generate low-carbon electricity for areas particularly vulnerable to climate change, a new study has shown. Research led by the University of Sheffield reveals agrivoltaics - the practice of using the same land for farming and to produce solar electricity - leads to greater crop yields with less water than crops grown in open fields. The international team, led by Sheffield scientists in collaboration with the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania, Latia Agribusiness Solutions and the University of Arizona, found certain crops, such as maize, Swiss chard and beans, thrived under the partial shade provided by solar panels. The shade also helped to reduce water loss through evaporation, leading to more efficient water usage. Additionally, rainwater harvested from the panels could be used to supplement irrigation needs. Senior author of the study, Professor Sue Hartley from the University of Sheffield's School of Biosciences and Vice-President for Research and Innovation, said: "Imagine a future where farms are powered by clean energy and crops are more resilient to climate change. Agrivoltaics can make this vision a reality by offering a sustainable solution to the pressing challenges of food insecurity, water scarcity, and energy poverty. "By shading crops with solar panels, we created a microclimate that helped certain crops produce more, but they were also better able to survive heat waves and the shade helped conserve water, which is crucial in a region severely threatened by climate change." Beyond increased crop yields and water conservation, the study showed agrivoltaics can also provide a reliable source of clean energy for rural communities. Off-grid solar power systems can power homes, businesses, and agricultural equipment, improving the quality of life for many. Lead author of the study, Dr Richard Randle-Boggis, who conducted the research at the University of Sheffield and is now a research scientist at SINTEF, said: "By combining solar panels and farming, we were able to get more from the land. This multifunctional approach shows the potential of agrivoltaics to boost food production and clean electricity generation while reducing the need for irrigation. "However, it's important to remember that one size doesn't fit all. We need to tailor these systems to specific locations, especially in hot and dry climates." To view the full paper, please visit: Science Direct Amy Huxtable Senior Media and PR Officer Marketing, Admissions, Recruitment and Communications Email a.l.huxtable@sheffield.ac.uk Telephone +44 114 222 9859 Staff profile photo of Shemina Davis Open staff member portrait in a modal window Profile picture of Staff profile photo of Shemina Davis Centres of excellence The University's cross-faculty research centres harness our interdisciplinary expertise to solve the world's most pressing challenges. 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