Should Agrivoltaics Ever Be Decommissioned? How Agrivoltaics Bolster Farm Climate Adaptation Even When Unpowered

Uzair Jamil () and Joshua M. Pearce
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Uzair Jamil: Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
Joshua M. Pearce: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-23

Abstract: Solar photovoltaic systems now produce the lowest-cost electricity in history and coupling with agriculture in agrivoltaics increases crop yields. This indicates solar will continue to experience explosive growth. Concerns exist, however, about the long-term end-of-life decommissioning of solar farms. For example, due to fossil fuel decommissioning mismanagement, Alberta is inundated with orphaned oil and gas wells that have remediation cost estimates of CAD$100 billion. Such comparisons have prompted preemptive legislation targeting solar farms, but is the fear justified? This study addresses this question by (1) analyzing warranted and actual lifespans of key agrivoltaic system components, (2) experimentally measuring microclimate impacts of two agrivoltaic arrays (fully powered with electricity extraction and unpowered to simulate post-inverter-failure conditions) and (3) quantifying agrivoltaic yield gains based on crops previously shown to respond positively to such conditions. Experimental results indicate that unpowered photovoltaic shading not only moderates soil temperatures but also enhances soil moisture conservation relative to unshaded conditions. This study demonstrates that agrivoltaic systems, even after the cessation of power generation, can continue to deliver meaningful agronomic and economic value through passive shading and policy frameworks should adapt to this dual-use reality. Integrating agronomic co-benefits into decommissioning policy supports long-term farm productivity and climate resilience.

Keywords: agrivoltaic; agriculture; climate change; climate mitigation; photovoltaic; solar energy; energy policy; land use policy; land use; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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