As the world transitions toward renewable energy to combat climate change, one of the key challenges WE face is land availability and utilization. With renewables generally requiring more land per unit of energy compared to conventional power sources, finding smart solutions for land use has become increasingly important.
The Scale of the Challenge
According to recent studies, achieving climate neutrality in Europe by 2040 would require approximately 2.2% of the EU’s total land area for solar and wind installations. While this may seem modest, it represents a significant area – roughly the size of Sweden (445,654 km2 by 2050). For perspective, this is particularly significant when considering that 47.9% of EU land is agricultural, 18.6% consists of protected areas, and an additional 16.7% is needed for nature restoration.
Smart Agricultural Integration: Agrivoltaics
The agricultural sector presents one of the most promising opportunities for dual land use with renewable energy. Recent studies show that agrivoltaic systems can be successfully implemented without significantly compromising agricultural productivity. Even crops traditionally considered light-demanding, such as maize, have shown positive results under certain solar configurations. In fact, agrivoltaic systems can offer additional benefits beyond power generation – they can help reduce water consumption and protect crops from extreme weather events, including both frost and high temperatures.
Key findings from recent research indicate that vegetables, particularly lettuce and tomatoes, show remarkable adaptability to agrivoltaic systems. Rather than focusing on specific shade percentages, researchers now recommend defining optimal daily light integration for each species, allowing for more flexible and efficient system designs.
Livestock Integration and Grazing
The integration of renewable energy with animal husbandry represents another successful model of land optimization. Studies conducted on both sheep and dairy farms have yielded encouraging results. While some research showed slightly lower forage production under solar panels, the improved quality of the forage often compensated for quantity reductions. Moreover, the shade provided by solar installations has proven beneficial for livestock during hot periods, potentially offering a climate adaptation strategy for animal farming.
Repurposing Degraded Lands
Perhaps one of the most promising approaches to renewable energy expansion is the utilization of contaminated or degraded lands. In the United States, analysis shows that contaminated lands, landfills, and mine sites could generate significant renewable energy capacity. The research indicates that if just 10% of the estimated degraded land capacity currently tracked by US EPA were developed, it could meet or exceed the residual renewable portfolio standards (RPS) demand in most regions.
Regional variations are significant. For example:
• The West region shows potential for 327 GW of solar and 14 GW of wind capacity.• The Midwest could generate 37 GW of solar and 4 GW of wind.
• The Mid-Atlantic region has potential for 28 GW of solar and 2 GW of wind.
• New England could produce 7 GW of solar and 1 GW of wind.
Challenges and Future Considerations
While these solutions show promise, several critical challenges need addressing. Grid capacity constraints pose a significant bottleneck, particularly in rural areas where most suitable land is located. According to the research, 78% of suitable land for ground-mounted solar PV and 83% for onshore wind is in rural areas. This highlights the urgent need for grid infrastructure development and modernization.
Environmental considerations also play a crucial role. In countries like Germany and Italy, where land availability is more constrained, careful planning is essential to avoid conflicts with nature protection and agricultural production. These countries might need to rely more heavily on international energy cooperation and grid interconnection to meet their renewable energy goals.
Looking Ahead
The future of renewable energy land use lies in smart, multi-functional approaches. The research clearly shows that Europe has sufficient land resources to host all needed renewables without compromising food production or natural ecosystems. With careful spatial planning, fair and transparent permitting, and a commitment to benefit-sharing, WE can achieve our renewable energy goals while preserving our valuable land resources.
Success will require a coordinated effort between policymakers, energy developers, farmers, and local communities. By treating land as a precious resource and implementing innovative dual-use solutions, WE can create a sustainable energy future that works in harmony with other essential land uses.
The numbers tell us it’s possible – now it’s up to us to make it happen through smart planning and implementation.
