Agrivoltaics Could Meet UK’s Energy Needs Without Impacting Farmland

The University of Sheffield conducted a recent research that found that the UK is able to achieve its solar power targets without having to sacrifice farming land by adopting agrivoltaics—a ground-breaking method of integrating solar panels with farming. The research reveals that this method can provide the country's electricity demand more than four times and still yield food.

The British government has lofty plans to boost solar power, but traditional solar farms mounted on the ground have been resisted due to concerns for lost arable land, reduced agriculture output, and visual impact. The research by the University of Sheffield identifies agrivoltaics as an answer to all these problems since it allows crops and livestock to coexist with solar panels, hence making the land multi-purpose.

The study identifies regions best suited for agrivoltaics in the UK, which include Cambridgeshire, Essex, Lincolnshire, and the East and South East of England as a whole. These regions are conducive to conditions such as flat land, agricultural activity, high solar irradiance, and well-developed grids.

Agrivoltaics is already being implemented worldwide, and particularly in Europe, and has been shown to be of immense benefit in countries like Tanzania and Kenya. Previous work by the University of Sheffield of £1.4 million established that agrivoltaic systems not only provide clean energy but also enhance water retention and yields. Maize, Swiss chard, and beans flourished in the shadows of solar panels, which further conserved water from evaporation and permitted rainwater for watering.

Even though it has such potential, agrivoltaics is still not well developed in the UK. Scientists call for field trials to test different designs, monitor performance with different crops, and gain insights from surrounding communities and stakeholders. With its demonstration of agrivoltaic feasibility, the research aims to influence land-use policies and spur more investment in the technology.

As the UK continues to work towards achieving its net-zero ambitions by 2050, agrivoltaics represents a possible solution to ramping up renewable energy without encroaching on the production of food. The study highlights the necessity of reconciling energy ambitions and agricultural needs to ensure that land is used for more than one use.

Source: University of Sheffield Research Study on Agrivoltaics (2025)