Current status of farming photovoltaics in Japan

Abstract

Farming photovoltaics (Solar-sharing) is an effort of farming while power generating by solar power panels in the upper space of farmland together. Renewable energy power, such as photovoltaic power generation, plays important roles such as global warming countermeasures, departure from nuclear power dependence, and energy security policy. In addition to them, Farming photovoltaics has begun to attract attention as a tool for solving problems of agriculture and rural area, for example improving farmer’s income, stabilization of agricultural management through revenue from electricity sales and restore of abandoned farmland, etc. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is promoting good effort of Farming photovoltaics. From a global perspective, Farming photovoltaics has great potential in terms of the stable supply of food, sustainable and inexpensive power supply by effectively utilizing limited land and water resources. This report describes the background and history of Farming photovoltaics, the expected effects, the current situation and issues, the possibility of overseas expansion, etc.