We need to solve multiple problems at once: We need to produce low-carbon energy and sustainable food, all while increasing habitat for biodiversity.
As California faces pressure to grow both food and energy while protecting biodiversity — all on a finite amount of land — a trend is emerging in the field of clean energy: multi-use solar projects, or sustainable voltaics.
A report, released today by the UC Davis Wild Energy Center, defines such projects and describes the challenges and opportunities they present for the state’s landscapes.
The authors term these projects “voltaic landscapes for sustainability,” which generate solar energy while cultivating additional outcomes:
- “Agrivoltaic solar farms” produce crops.
- “Rangevoltaic solar ranches” host grazing livestock, such as sheep.
- “Ecovoltaic solar parks” increase habitat for biodiversity and other ecosystem services.
