Agrivoltaics: A Win-win for Sustainable Energy & Agriculture

Agrivoltaics: A Win-win for Sustainable Energy & Agriculture

Dual Harvest: Agrivoltaics Boost Food and Energy Production in Asia

One shrimp farm in China’s Yellow River in Dongying City, Shandong Province looks a little different than your average aquaculture site. Rising several meters above the shallow waters where shrimp grow stand rows of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. The solar panels not only power the farm with clean energy, they also keep the water at an ideal temperature for crustaceans to flourish, boosting shrimp and sea cucumber yields by 50%. This form of “agrivoltaics” is an emerging trend in China and other parts of the world, where solar panels are integrated onto farms and ranches. By maximizing available space, agrivoltaics are a win-win solution to meet growing demands for both renewable energy and food production. Read more.

Solar photovoltaic panels rise above an aquaculture farm in Dongying City, Shandong Province, China. The panels, which not only produce enough energy to power 113,000 houses, help cool the waters below, helping to boost shrimp and sea cucumber yields by 50%. Photo by WRI China.

For Climate Solutions, Look Beyond the Shoreline

The world’s highest oceans court ruled last week that greenhouse gas emissions are causing irreparable harm to marine life and must be immediately reduced.  While the ruling is non-binding, it underscores a pressing problem: Damage to the ocean poses risks to both ocean health and climate solutions. Research commissioned by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy found that ocean-based climate action — from mangrove planting to offshore renewable energy — can deliver up to 35% of the emissions cuts needed by 2050 to meet global climate goals. Read more.

There are myriad forms of ocean-based climate solutions, which, taken together, can deliver up to 35% of the emissions cuts needed by 2050 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F). Many are ready to implement and economically viable today.

What Do Vulnerable Countries Need from COP29?

From catastrophic flooding in Libya to destructive cyclones in Bangladesh, countries on the frontlines of climate change impacts are often those who contributed least to the problem. As the world gears up for this year’s UN climate summit (COP29) — dubbed the “Finance COP” — vulnerable countries will face major opportunities to secure resources and commitments to build resilience. A Call to Action from the ACT2025 initiative outlines what they need. Read more

Photo: H M Shahidul Islam / iStock

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Dr. Dumitru Fetcu

Professor and Company Owner and CEO at TRANSTERM TECHNOLOGIES S.R.L. Research and prototype production in the heat pipe field. Latest achievement, high-temperature sodium heat pipes for cooling micro nuclear reactors.

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Charuta Kulkarni, Ph.D.

Earth Scientist and Educator I Social-Ecological Systems Researcher I Science-Policy Facilitator

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Rocio Caicedo Torrado

Sustainability Consultant empowering teams to take action for climate, biodiversity and circular economy

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