Room for renewables: A GIS-based agrivoltaics site suitability analysis in urbanized landscapes

IF 6.1 1区农林科学 Q1 AGRICULTURE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Agricultural Systems Pub Date : 2025-01-29 DOI:10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104266

Thomas Reher , Cas Lavaert , Sam Ottoy , Johan A. Martens , Jos Van Orshoven , Jan Cappelle , Jan Diels , Bram Van de Poel

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

CONTEXT

Flanders, a densely populated region in Belgium, faces challenges in balancing agricultural production with renewable energy targets. Agrivoltaic systems combine solar energy and agricultural activity on the same field and can increase land productivity while simultaneously expanding the share of renewables. However, its potential and implications for the region is geographically complex.

OBJECTIVE

This research aims to assess the suitability of Flanders' 658,000 ha agricultural land for agrivoltaic systems, using a geographical multi criteria decision analysis (MCDA), considering environmental, technical, agronomic, and cultural criteria to optimize land use for simultaneous food and energy production.

METHODS

We describe a Geographic information system Multiple-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA) using QGis-software. Expert stakeholder input was incorporated by applying the pairwise comparison method from the analytical hierarchical process (AHP). Criterion weights are applied to seven classifiers: irradiance, soil suitability, slope, orientation (aspect), crop type, flood risk and distance to roads/grid. Areas with particular societal, ecological, economic, and historical importance are excluded. The resulting scores are then placed in their agronomic and energy context.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Our analysis indicates that 60.4 % of Flanders' farmland is well suited for agrivoltaic development, and that 9 % of farmland under AV would suffice to meet future energy targets in combination with rooftop PV. After our analysis, 11.5 % of total agricultural land was classified as less suitable, 28.74 % as somewhat suitable, 19.40 % as suitable and 12.22 % as very suitable.

SIGNIFICANCE

Transitioning away from fossil fuels requires a multi-facetted approach. Agrivoltaic systems can contribute to this shift, opening up additional land without significantly compromising farm revenue. This study presents insights into the feasibility and geographic potential of agrivoltaic systems in densely populated regions with intensive agriculture like Flanders and can serve as a base for future discussion regarding dual land use planning decisions locally and abroad.

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可再生能源的空间：城市化景观中基于gis的农业发电场地适宜性分析

佛兰德斯是比利时人口稠密的地区，在平衡农业生产和可再生能源目标方面面临着挑战。农业光伏系统将太阳能和农业活动结合在一起，可以提高土地生产力，同时扩大可再生能源的份额。然而，它对该地区的潜力和影响在地理上是复杂的。

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来源期刊

Agricultural Systems 农林科学-农业综合

CiteScore

13.30

自引率

7.60%

发文量

174

审稿时长

30 days

期刊介绍： Agricultural Systems is an international journal that deals with interactions - among the components of agricultural systems, among hierarchical levels of agricultural systems, between agricultural and other land use systems, and between agricultural systems and their natural, social and economic environments. The scope includes the development and application of systems analysis methodologies in the following areas: Systems approaches in the sustainable intensification of agriculture; pathways for sustainable intensification; crop-livestock integration; farm-level resource allocation; quantification of benefits and trade-offs at farm to landscape levels; integrative, participatory and dynamic modelling approaches for qualitative and quantitative assessments of agricultural systems and decision making; The interactions between agricultural and non-agricultural landscapes; the multiple services of agricultural systems; food security and the environment; Global change and adaptation science; transformational adaptations as driven by changes in climate, policy, values and attitudes influencing the design of farming systems; Development and application of farming systems design tools and methods for impact, scenario and case study analysis; managing the complexities of dynamic agricultural systems; innovation systems and multi stakeholder arrangements that support or promote change and (or) inform policy decisions.