Solar arrays and agriculture are strategically combined in the emerging science of agrivoltaics, focusing on farmer income, sustainable land use, and energy independence.
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You would think the fighting in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would be sending the price of oil and methane for power plants in Europe soaring, and cause the price people and businesses pay for electricity to increase. You would be right, except for one thing. Europe has installed lots and lots of solar power in the last few years, and that solar power is saving Europeans more than $135 million a day, according to Solar Power Europe.
Its latest analysis found that, “since March 1, Europe’s solar fleet has helped avoid more than €11 billion in fossil fuel import costs, offering a clear demonstration of what a renewable-first energy system can achieve in times of volatility. Those savings are equivalent to Belgium’s recent annual defense budgets and they represent only a fraction of what is possible if Europe moves faster. By deploying more solar, scaling storage, and accelerating electrification, it can reduce the role of gas in setting electricity prices, strengthen Europe’s energy independence, and build a more secure and affordable energy system.
