Author: Vanessa Paredes

The quest for sustainable solutions to our energy and agricultural needs leads to the constant search for innovative ways of producing food while keeping the environmental disruption minimal. One of these innovations is Agrivoltaics, the practice of co-locating agricultural activities and solar systems on the same land area.  Although Agrivoltaics is a concept that has been around since 1982, it’s only in recent years that it has gained recognition due to its benefits for the agricultural industry, small farms, rural communities, and the environment. Let’s explore how combining solar panels with farming is a win-win. 7 Ways Agrivoltaics Can Improve Farming 1 – Land Use Optimization Land use optimization is crucial in agriculture for many reasons, including productivity, food security for an ever-growing global population, preserving natural resources and the quality of life of the surrounding communities. Implementing Agrivoltaics allows for dual land use, maximizing the efficiency of the land by producing both solar energy and agricultural products. This is particularly advantageous in regions where land availability is limited or expensive.  2 – Increased Crop Yields Studies have shown that shading provided by solar panels can moderate temperature extremes, reduce water evaporation from the soil, and protect plants from excess sun, wind, and hail, leading to improved crop yields and quality. Certain crops, like lettuce, spinach, and broccoli, thrive in the cooler microclimate created by solar panels. 3 – Drought Effects Mitigation The shading effect of solar panels also helps reduce water evaporation from the soil, which can mitigate the impact of drought conditions on crops and preserve soil quality by helping retain its moisture, which also reduces water usage. This is especially helpful for arid or semi-arid regions where water scarcity is a concern. 4 – Energy Diversification for Farmers Integrating solar panels into farms provides an additional revenue stream for farmers (especially small farms) through the excess energy the panels produce. This diversification can help stabilize farm incomes, especially during fluctuating crop prices or unpredictable weather conditions, reducing financial risk and improving their economic resilience. 5 – Reduced Energy Costs Of course, one of the main benefits of Agrivoltaics is reducing farms’ dependence on the grid,  reducing their energy expenses and increasing their energy independence. Another financial benefit for Alberta working farmers is that solar equipment is considered a business expense and is fully deductible from year-end taxes. 6 – Community Support Agrivoltaics projects often involve collaboration and engagement with local communities, including the farmers, residents, other local businesses, and government or private stakeholders.  Community input is sought during the planning and implementation stages of agrivoltaics projects, fostering a sense of ownership and participation in the decision-making process. This community involvement and the fact that this practice enhances agricultural production contributes to greater acceptance and support for agrivoltaics initiatives. 7 – Research Opportunities Agrivoltaics offers a platform for researching critical sustainability topics like optimizing land use, crop productivity, and solar panel efficiency. This research can lead to innovations in agriculture and renewable energy technologies, benefiting society as a whole. A Promising Practice The potential positive impact of Agrivoltaics if the adoption of this way of farming increases is immense. By harnessing the sun’s power alongside traditional farming practices, agrivoltaics projects can contribute to a more sustainable future, food security, and local communities’ well-being and resilience.  If you are an Albertan farmer and want to implement Agrivoltaics, our specialists can install a ground mount solar system that suits your working land. Contact us for a free estimate of your project and how much money you could save in bills.

Even though it has been demonstrated and documented that solar panels can produce energy to fulfill people’s daily activities during the winter months, the frequent grid alerts Albertans receive when they’re facing below-freezing temperatures make the public wonder if they can rely on solar panels and other forms of renewable energy to relieve the pressure on the electrical grid and avoid rotating outages when they need electricity the most to keep themselves warm. We will outline the factors that determine solar energy production and panels’ performance during the winter and explain why solar adoption can give the electrical grid the stability it needs in extreme cold temperatures. The Elements Behind Solar Energy Production During the Winter 1 – Sunlight Duration Winter days are shorter, translating into less sunlight for solar panels to generate electricity. Additionally, the sun is often lower in the sky during the winter months, reducing the intensity of the sunlight. However, Alberta enjoys over 312 sunny days a year, and the shorter winter days still provide enough sunlight to produce energy with solar panels. 2 – Snow Snow cover can slightly reduce the amount of sunlight reaching solar panels, as a five-year study conducted by NAIT showed that snow build-up will reduce a system’s yearly output by a mere 3%. 3 – Temperature This may sound counterintuitive, but solar panels tend to perform better in cooler temperatures rather than scorching summer temperatures due to the silicon material the panels are made of and work as a semiconductor, which has better conductivity and less energy loss in cold weather conditions, allowing the panels to produce energy more efficiently.  4 – Angle of Incidence  The angle at which sun rays hit the solar panels (known as the angle of incidence) can affect their efficiency depending on the season. In the winter, the sun is often at a lower angle, which may not be optimal for some solar panel installations. However, professional installers consider angle tilt and ensure that sun incidence fluctuations throughout the year won’t affect the system’s performance.  Why Solar Adoption Supports the Electrical Grid While adopting solar energy is often seen as a personal choice to reduce carbon footprint or lower electricity bills, its impact extends far beyond individual households. In fact, integrating solar power into the broader electrical grid offers many attractive benefits:  1 – Reduced Peak Demand Hours Solar energy production often coincides with periods of high electricity demand, particularly during daylight hours when people are awake and using electrical appliances. By supplying electricity during these peak hours, solar energy reduces the strain on the grid, helping to stabilize the system and avoid blackouts or brownouts. 2 – Localized Generation and Distributed Energy Solar systems can be placed on rooftops or in distributed arrays across communities, generating electricity near where it’s consumed. This distributed generation model reduces the need for long-distance electricity transmission, minimizing transmission losses and improving overall grid efficiency. 3 – Peak Shaving Solar energy can help “shave” peak demand by supplying the excess energy microgenerators produce as additional electricity, especially during periods of high demand, hence reducing the need to rely on expensive peaking power plants or grid upgrades and improving grid stability and efficiency. 4 – Diversification of Energy Sources Alberta’s government has implemented policies such as the Renewable Electricity Program to encourage the development of renewable energy projects and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. As it stands now though, the province’s electricity generation mix still depends heavily on non-renewables.  Including more solar energy projects will help us reduce our carbon footprint, reach the province’s renewable energy capacity goals and result in a more resilient, sustainable, and efficient energy system. Solar Is Reliable No Matter the Season Solar energy is a dependable source that can power your home or business and contribute to electricity generation and grid stability during the winter. Innovations in solar technology, combined with proper system design and maintenance, can help mitigate any fluctuation in energy production your system may have during our below-zero days, so you can rest assured that you can count on your solar system all year round.

In our last blog of 2023, we outlined the main benefits businesses can have from getting solar panels to power their operations, and while we believe any business can gain significant advantages with solar energy, some industries can get the most return on their investment. We want to kick off 2024 by discussing the industries we see benefitting the most from going solar and why. The Industries That Get More Bank From Switching to Solar Manufacturing and Heavy Industries Manufacturing and industrial operations often have high energy demands, with many operating 24/7. Solar panels can help offset electricity costs, providing long-term savings and improving the sustainability profile of these businesses, typically known for being among Canada’s most polluting business activities. Solar also provides stability in energy costs, mitigating the impact of fluctuating electricity prices. This predictability can be especially advantageous for budgeting and financial planning. Warehouses and Distribution Centers Large warehouses and distribution centres are another industry sector with a 24/7 schedule that can benefit from solar power to offset the energy required for lighting, heating, and powering machinery.  Warehouses and distribution centres that supply goods to retailers may find that adopting solar energy aligns with the sustainability requirements of their retail partners, which can give them a competitive advantage in the supply chain. Farms and Agriculture Farms, especially those with large expanses of land, can benefit from solar to meet their energy needs beyond the cost savings. Solar panels can be installed on open fields or integrated into agricultural structures, providing a scenario that optimizes land utilization, potentially reduces electricity costs for running equipment and irrigation systems, and preserves the water in the soil due to the panels’ shading, leading to potentially growing better crops. Solar power also allows farms in remote or off-grid locations to operate independently of traditional power infrastructure. This can be crucial for agricultural operations in rural areas, which can find a reliable and sustainable energy source in solar energy.  Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities Healthcare facilities have continuous energy needs for lighting, medical equipment and procedures, and climate control. Solar panels can help these facilities become more resilient and efficient by providing a backup energy source and reducing reliance on the grid, giving an extra layer of protection against prolonged power shortages, which can be death-threatening for patients and cause psychological stress and physical exhaustion to healthcare staff.  Hotels, Resorts and Hospitality The hospitality business is another with high-energy demand for lighting, heating, cooling, and other operational needs that is already switching to solar. Big names like Marriott already have some of their hotels 100% powered by solar energy. The Courtyard by Marriott in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is the brand’s first 100% solar-powered hotel and has an array of 2,700 panels that produce enough energy to power 138 homes for a year. (Marriott) Adopting solar energy can allow hotels and resorts to not only reduce costs and be more efficient overall; it can also provide them with an enhanced corporate image and appeal to environmentally conscious travelers, potentially attracting a broader customer base by using their solar energy adoption as a selling point that can set them apart from the competition. Data Centers Tech industry titans like Apple and Facebook use solar energy to power their data centres for a good reason: these are energy-intensive facilities that require a reliable electrical supply for all their daily operations. Solar panels can be part of a comprehensive energy strategy to offset some of the power needed to operate servers and cooling systems, reducing operational costs and environmental impact. A Win Scenario With proven benefits and efficiency, going solar is a wise business decision whether you’re a small business owner or run a large corporation. For industries with high energy demands like the ones we discussed, solar energy is rapidly becoming a necessity rather than a choice. If you want to reap the financial and corporate benefits of adopting solar energy for your business and you operate in Alberta, contact us for a free consultation.

We’ve talked about the many benefits homeowners can enjoy by getting solar panels, but the advantages of going solar don’t limit to your home. If you’re a business owner, going solar can also be a smart choice that can offer your business more benefits than saving costs in bills. Let’s look at some advantages of getting solar panels for your business. Top 7 Benefits of Solar Panels for Businesses Access to Financial Incentives Like residential solar adopters, businesses have access to financial incentives, rebates, and tax credits that can significantly offset the initial costs and accelerate the payback period. Among these programs are the Canadian Government’s Accelerated Investment Incentive and the tax credits for renewable energy, Alberta’s Clean Energy Improvement Financing Program, and the Emissions Reduction Alberta Program (this option was closed by the time of writing this article, but you can join the waitlist!) Reduced Operating Expenses As mentioned above, the main attraction of solar energy for commercial purposes is paying less in bills over time, contributing to reduced operating expenses. That extra cash can be invested in other critical areas such as product development, employee benefits, marketing and customer retention strategies or business expansion. Energy Independence and Stability Businesses that produce their energy become less reliant on the electrical grid and are less susceptible to the frequent fluctuations in energy prices. This enhances energy price stability and provides a degree of energy independence. Mitigating Risks Associated with Fossil Fuel Price Volatility From transportation logistics and supply chain issues to uncertainty in budgeting and planning, price volatility can severely disrupt your operations if you depend on fossil fuels for your main business activities. By making solar your main energy source, you can mitigate the risks related to fossil fuel price fluctuations and ensure your business’s operational efficiency, stability and competitiveness. Positive Brand Image and Marketing Opportunities Going solar can enhance a business’s brand image, especially among environmentally conscious customers. It provides marketing opportunities to showcase the company’s commitment to sustainability, potentially attracting new clients and investors. Increased Property and Business Value If you own your business facilities, solar installations are seen as valuable assets that can increase the property’s market value. In addition to that, going solar can position your business as forward-thinking and technologically advanced. This positive perception can attract new customers, skilled talent, and collaboration opportunities with like-minded organizations. It’s a Low Maintenance, Long-Term Business Asset Once installed, your solar system will power your business activities for at least 20 years or more, with little to no maintenance to keep its performance. Adopting solar provides businesses with stability and predictability in energy costs over an extended period, which can support the growth of your business as a whole. Solar Panels for Businesses In Action There’s no better way to showcase how solar panels benefit a business than with a real-life example. Gasonic is an Albertan indoor air-quality small business that wanted to go solar in 2021 and chose Solar YYC to install a solar system that would produce enough energy for their offices and charge their fleet of electric vehicles. Gasonic’s CEO, Kae Shummoogum, monitored the system’s energy production and only five months after the installation, it had produced enough energy to drive around the world.  You can see more details regarding the installation and Kae’s testimonial here: Solar Accompanies Your Business Growth  Going solar is an investment that can become a valuable asset for your business that will pay itself in a few years. Businesses of all sizes can enjoy the independence, resilience and positive image that being a solar-powered business can provide. If you own a Calgary-based business and want to know what a system tailored to your energy needs would look like or have more questions regarding solar energy, contact us.