AgroFossilFree - Political and Environmental Implications of Photovoltaic Systems in Agriculture in Southeastern Spain: Can Greenhouses Reduce the Greenhouse Effect?

Allgemeine Beschreibung

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have grown in popularity in the agricultural sector, mainly because the land area and the agricultural structures themselves, such as greenhouses, can be exploited, and also because farms tend to be located in rural areas far away. of Power production plants. In Spain, despite being a country with enormous potential for this renewable energy source, little is being done to exploit it, and the policies of recent years have even limited its implementation. These factors constitute an obstacle, both to achieve environmental commitments and to socioeconomic development. This study proposes the installation of photovoltaic systems in greenhouses in the southeast of Spain, the location with the highest concentration of greenhouses in Europe. After a sensitivity analysis, it is estimated that the use of this technology in the farm-level self-consumption scenario produces a higher profitability for farms, which can range between 0.88% (worst-case scenario) and 52.78% (worst-case scenario). more favorable). Regarding the Spanish environmental policy, the results obtained show that the impact of the application of this technology in greenhouses would bring the country 38% closer to reaching the 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) target. In addition, it would make it possible to reach the commitment 20% of renewable energies by 2020. In addition, it would have considerable effects on the regional socio-economy, with increases in job creation and contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) / R&D Research and Development), allowing greater profitability in agri-food activities throughout the region.