Hayleys Solar has been selected to implement Sri Lanka’s first Solar Agrivoltaics Project, a groundbreaking initiative designed and funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This project, which integrates solar energy generation with agricultural cultivation, marks a significant step forward in the country's efforts to promote sustainable energy and farming practices.
Solar Agrivoltaics Over Tea Plantations
The Solar Agrivoltaics Project introduces an innovative approach by integrating semi-transparent solar photovoltaic (PV) technology above tea plantations. This project which is a collaboration with the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA), the Tea Smallholders Development Authority (TSHDA), the University of Peradeniya, and Hayleys Solar, is set up at the Hanthana Ratnasiri Wickramanayake National Training Centre in Kandy. Here, 85 kWp hybrid semi-transparent solar panels have been installed two meters above a tea plantation.
Agrivoltaics—a combination of agriculture and photovoltaics—allows for simultaneous solar electricity generation and crop harvesting on the same land. The transparent solar panels provide sunlight for the tea plants beneath while generating clean and renewable energy. This dual-purpose approach not only optimizes land use but also has the potential to revolutionize both the clean energy and agricultural sectors in Sri Lanka.
Innovative Solar Agrivoltaics Project Powers 19 Homes
The Solar Agrivoltaics Project is designed to generate enough electricity to power 19 households, supported by a 24-kWh battery energy storage system that feeds into the national grid. The facility - powered by the solar panels - also features an LED lighting system above the tea plants which enhances plant growth by providing targeted light spectrums. Additionally, a groundwater pump system supplies water to the tea plants and the nearby community, further supporting agricultural sustainability.
The project’s ability to combine solar energy with agricultural practices addresses several critical issues in Sri Lanka, including energy security and agricultural productivity. By using land for both energy generation and farming, the Solar Agrivoltaics Project exemplifies how innovative technology can meet multiple societal needs. The success of this model could lead to its application in other regions, extending its benefits to a wider range of crops and communities.
Transforming Sri Lanka's Agriculture with Solar Agrivoltaics
Janaka Ekanayake, a professor of forestry and environmental management at the University of Peradeniya, highlights the project’s potential to address national issues of energy security and agricultural transformation. "Sri Lanka heavily relies on fossil fuels and has difficulties in the agricultural sector," he notes. "The Solar Agrivoltaics Project generates more than 100 MWh of electricity a year, replacing fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gases. It also improves the use of multifunctional land resources."
Image: Collected
The success of this project could extend to other crops such as vanilla, tomatoes, and bell peppers, offering broad benefits to Sri Lanka’s farming industry. Funded by the ADB and the Ministry of Power and Energy (MOPE), the project underscores the strategic potential of integrating renewable energy with agriculture to address multiple societal challenges.
The potential for expanding Solar Agrivoltaics to different agricultural contexts offers a new dimension to sustainable farming practices. By leveraging this model, Sri Lanka could enhance food production while also contributing to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The Solar Agrivoltaics Project is not just an isolated initiative but a blueprint for sustainable development that could be replicated across the country and beyond.
A Global Model for Solar Agrivoltaics
The Solar Agrivoltaics Project in Sri Lanka sets a global example for combining sustainable energy with agriculture. It serves as a model for other countries - particularly in Europe and North and Central America where medium scale agrivoltaics could unleash the full potential of this technology. The project is a testament to the power of cross-ministerial collaboration between the Sri Lankan government, private sector, and academic institutions, paving the way for similar initiatives worldwide.
Hayleys Solar’s involvement in this pioneering project marks a significant step forward in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy journey. The success of this million-dollar initiative could lead to further research and development in agrivoltaics, resulting in high-quality demonstrations that inspire similar projects.
As the Solar Agrivoltaics Project progresses, it could serve as a blueprint for future agrivoltaic projects - not only in Sri Lanka - but across Asia and beyond. The combination of solar energy and agriculture offers a sustainable solution to the challenges of land use, energy production, and food security. The project’s success could lead to similar initiatives in other countries facing similar challenges, demonstrating the viability of agrivoltaics as a global model for sustainable development.
Moreover, the continued development and refinement of agrivoltaic technology could further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of these systems - making them even more attractive to governments, businesses, and communities around the world. As more agrivoltaic projects are implemented, the collective impact on global energy and food systems could be transformative, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
