Agrivoltaics in East Africa: Opportunities and challenges

Enhancing community well-being in African drylands through technology-based solutions in the water–energy–food–ecosystems nexus

“…An additional objective is to thoroughly analyze the impacts of AgriPV structures on crop yields and the financial value they bring to farmers. 9,82,90,91…”

“…An additional objective is to thoroughly analyze the impacts of AgriPV structures on crop yields and the financial value they bring to farmers. 9,82,90,91 Many other examples that are more efficient in water and energy use are the following.…”

Socio-Economic and Environmental Implications of Bioenergy Crop Cultivation on Marginal African Drylands and Key Principles for a Sustainable Development

“…In these areas, the technology can offer the highest added value for both energy production and agriculture [154,155]. The main advantages for the bioenergy crops under the solar panels is the partial shade offered by the panels which reduces soil evaporation and plant evapotranspiration and thus increases the water use efficiency of the crops [154,156,157]. While crops which are already adapted to the harsh conditions of MADs and do not necessarily need shade, the resulting increased water use efficiency reduces the amount of water they require, which is ideal given that water is already a scarce resource.…”

“…The above-mentioned usability areas include powering fridges for medicine or post-harvest storage, post-harvest treatments against diseases and pests or energy for clean cooking alternatives [158]. While it is evident that the implementation of an agrivoltaic system is a financial challenge, Randle-Boggis et al state that there has been a significant trimming of costs of solar photovoltaic systems, making the technology more accessible to smallholders [157]. While it is evident that the implementation of an agrivoltaic system is a financial challenge, Randle-Boggis et al state that there has been a significant trimming of costs of solar photovoltaic systems, making the technology more accessible to smallholders [157].…”

Modelling the suitability of agrivoltaics to deliver sustainable energy and food production in East Africa

“…Despite rapidly expanding research in Europe [21][22][23][24] , the US [25][26][27] , and Asia 19,[28][29][30] , there is little research on agrivoltaics in East Africa, where the technology could deliver substantial livelihood benefits for rural communities lacking electricity access and food security. With abundant solar insolation, a growing PV market to address rural electrification goals, food systems limited by water availability, and climate change threatening water and food security, agrivoltaics could play a vital role in the region's energy transition 31 . To inform and advance agrivoltaics in East Africa, we assessed the suitability of agrivoltaics in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda in two phases (Figure 1):…”