Agrivoltaics and Aquavoltaics: Potential of Solar Energy Use in Agriculture and Freshwater Aquaculture in Croatia

• Published in: Agriculture (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 7; p. 1447
• Main Authors: Matulić, Daniel, Andabaka, Željko, Radman, Sanja, Fruk, Goran, Leto, Josip, Rošin, Jakša, Rastija, Mirta, Varga, Ivana, Tomljanović, Tea, Čeprnja, Hrvoje, Karoglan, Marko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-07-2023
• Subjects: Agricultural land; Agricultural practices; Agricultural production; Agriculture; Agrivoltaics; Air pollution; Algae; Alternative energy sources; Aquaculture; Aquaculture industry; aquavoltaics; Clean energy; Climate change; Croatia; Crop production; Crop yields; Crops; dual land use; Economic incentives; Emissions; Energy consumption; Energy minerals; Energy policy; Energy use; Farm buildings; Farmers; Fish-culture; Floods; Fossil fuels; Fresh water; Freshwater aquaculture; Green technology; Greenhouse effect; Greenhouse gases; Incentives; Land conservation; Land use; Moisture effects; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaics; Planning; Plant protection; Renewable energy sources; Soil moisture; Solar energy; Solar energy industry; Solar panels; Water demand; water evaporation; Croatia
• ISSN: 2077-0472; 2077-0472
• DOI: 10.3390/agriculture13071447

Agrivoltaics and aquavoltaics combine renewable energy production with agriculture and aquaculture. Agrivoltaics involves placing solar panels on farmland, while aquavoltaics integrates photovoltaic systems with water bodies and aquaculture. This paper examines the benefits and challenges of agrivoltaics and aquavoltaics, focusing on their potential for Croatian agriculture and freshwater aquaculture. Benefits include dual land use, which allows farmers to produce clean energy while maintaining agricultural practices. They diversify renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels in agrivoltaics provide shade, protect crops, reduce water needs, and increase yields. Challenges include high initial costs and limited accessibility, especially for small farmers. Integration with existing systems requires careful planning, considering irrigation, soil moisture, and crop or fish production. Maintenance and cleaning present additional challenges due to dust, debris, and algae. Policy and regulatory frameworks must support implementation, including incentives, grid integration, land use regulations, and conservation. The location, resources, and crops grown in Croatia present an opportunity for agrivoltaics and aquavoltaics, considering cultivation methods, species, and regulatory requirements.