How agrivoltaics and controlled environments shape farming's future

How agrivoltaics and controlled environments shape farming's future
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 01, 2024

In a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Virginia Tech, new research heralds a transformative era for agriculture through the integration of controlled environment agriculture and agrivoltaics, signaling a potentially significant shift in farming practices.

Controlled environment agriculture, encompassing greenhouses, vertical farms, and hydroponics, leverages advanced horticultural and engineering techniques to transcend traditional soil-based agriculture. Agrivoltaics combines agriculture with solar photovoltaic energy generation, optimizing land use for dual purposes.

The USDA and Virginia Tech's publication underscores these methods' capacity to bolster yields, enhance food nutritional value, and secure local food access, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional outdoor farming.

Led by Erik Dohlman and a team of USDA's Economic Research Service economists, including Karen Maguire, Wilma Davis, Megan Husby, and Catharine Weber, alongside Virginia Tech's John Bovay and Yoonjung Lee, the research delves into the burgeoning potential of these innovative farming techniques. Despite the presence of technological and economic hurdles, the study acknowledges these systems' role in agriculture's technological evolution.

John Bovay, assistant professor and Kohl Junior Faculty Fellow, emphasizes the unprecedented growth of hydroponics and vertical farming, suggesting a paradigm shift in agricultural technology and market dynamics. This shift could notably alter consumer experiences and impact the economic landscape for traditional farmers.

Key findings from the research include:

- The number of controlled environment agriculture operations in the U.S. surged from nearly 1,500 in 2009 to about 3,000 in 2019.

- Controlled environment crop production witnessed a 56% increase, from 502 million pounds to 786 million pounds, between 2009 and 2019.

- In 2019, hydroponics contributed to over 60% of the total production of key crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce.

- The study also highlighted the growth of agrivoltaics, with over 300 sites by 2021, blending solar energy generation with agricultural practices, including pollinator-friendly vegetation and livestock grazing.

The comprehensive review, titled "Trends, Insights, and Future Prospects for Production in Controlled Environment Agriculture and Agrivoltaics Systems," paints a future where these technologies not only complement but also enhance traditional farming practices.