Assessing land resource planning for agrivoltaics development: Examining synergies approaches between government and farmers

In alignment with the global push for net zero emissions, solar energy stands out as a crucial renewable source. The International Energy Agency forecasts that by 2030, solar and wind energy will supply nearly half of the world's electricity, with solar energy growing at triple its current rate. Taiwan has set ambitious targets, aiming to achieve a solar panel capacity of 20 GW by 2025 and reaching 40–80 GW capacity as part of its goal for net zero emissions by 2050. However, this pursuit impacts limited land resources, particularly agricultural land and food security. This study delves into “Agrivoltaics,” a symbiotic solar-crop relationship, as a solution to balance energy development and agricultural needs in Taiwan. Using Taiwan as a case study, a bi-level programming model was developed, considering government subsidies and farmers' income. Challenges faced by the government in regional land planning were revealed, and recommendations for specific crop areas were made based on shading rates and land constraints. The study proposes a win-win situation, fostering cooperation between the government and farmers. Implementing solar panels on 10 %–30 % of available land can yield installation capacities from 12.87 GW to 39.27 GW, maintaining a 70 % harvest yield for crops and meeting objectives. This approach showcases the significant contribution of integrated solar energy to Taiwan's paddy field development, reducing net carbon emissions effectively.