Abstract
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 of land for both PV and agriculture, makes these regulations obsolete. Burgeoning agrivoltaics research has shown agricultural benefits, including increased yield for a wide range of crops, plant protection from excess solar energy and hail, and improved water conservation, while maintaining agricultural employment and local food supplies. In addition, the renewable electricity generation decreases greenhouse gas emissions while increasing farm revenue. As Canada, and Ontario in particular, is at a strategic disadvantage in agriculture without agrivoltaics, this study investigates the policy changes necessary to capitalize on the benefits of using agrivoltaics in Ontario. Land-use policies in Ontario are reviewed. Then, three case studies (peppers, sweet corn, and winter wheat) are analysed for agrivoltaic potential in Ontario. These results are analysed in conjunction with potential policies that would continue to protect the green-belt of the Golden Horseshoe, while enabling agrivoltaics in Ontario. Four agrivoltaic policy areas are discussed: increased research and development, enhanced education/public awareness, mechanisms to support Canada’s farmers converting to agrivoltaics, and using agrivoltaics as a potential source of trade surplus with the U.S.
Highlights
Academic Editors: Antonio Ruiz-Solar photovoltaic (PV) system costs have declined [1,2] to the point that solar electricity production is normally the least costly electricity source, globally [3,4]
Grid-connected PV systems are at grid-parity or beyond with the return on investment (ROI) of PV applications varying by province and utility [5]
PV electricity production in Canada continues to grow, it makes up less than 1% of electricity generation, while Ontario is the dominant province for PV deployment with approximately 94% of Canada’s total cumulative installed capacity [5]
Summary
Academic Editors: Antonio Ruiz-Solar photovoltaic (PV) system costs have declined [1,2] to the point that solar electricity production is normally the least costly electricity source, globally [3,4]. Energy conversion efficiencies for PV have increased [9] to the point that the energy payback time is less than a year [10] These benefits come with challenges, such as the need for large land surface areas to power high-population-density cities, which are normally supplied by rural areas used for agricultural production [11]. Within the province of Ontario, municipalities are subject to a style of legislation known as “laundry list”, in which the powers that are not explicitly stated or implied by the provincial legislature are not granted [76].
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