Solar farm development in Alberta has slowed after new provincial regulations restricted solar construction on agricultural land and required developers to fund full decommissioning costs upfront. The changes were introduced in response to concerns about long-term site remediation, drawing comparisons to orphaned oil and gas wells in the province. As a result, multiple previously viable solar projects have been cancelled or paused.
Agrivoltaics, which involves installing solar panels above cropland to allow simultaneous food and energy production, is directly affected by these restrictions. Research cited in the article shows that partial shading from solar structures can increase crop yields by altering the microclimate beneath the panels. These effects include moderated temperatures, reduced wind exposure, lower evaporation rates, and reduced soil erosion. Studies from various regions have reported yield increases across crops such as basil, broccoli, celery, corn, grapes, kale, lettuce, pasture grass, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes.
A study co-authored by Uzair Jamil found that these microclimate benefits persist even when solar modules are not generating electricity. The researchers measured components of agrivoltaic systems and tested two arrays, concluding that shade-driven environmental effects remain useful for crop production regardless of panel function.
Alberta now requires all new solar projects to provide financial security equal to 30 per cent of their estimated reclamation cost, while existing projects must post 15 per cent. Agricultural land must also be returned to its original, undisturbed condition after decommissioning. This has raised questions about whether agrivoltaics could be treated as an exception, since the land remains in continuous agricultural use. The province currently mandates agricultural impact assessments for projects that seek to operate on farmland, but specific agrivoltaic criteria are not included in zoning or infrastructure rules.
Canadian zoning law does not recognise agrivoltaics as a separate land-use category. Even where provincial policy allows dual-use systems, there is little regulatory guidance on layout, crop selection, or operational requirements. The article notes that other countries, including France and Italy, have already enacted legislation outlining how agrivoltaics can be implemented.
Experimental data referenced in the study indicate that shading from solar installations improves soil moisture retention and moderates soil temperature. The authors suggest that agrivoltaic systems could continue supporting crop production even when not used for electricity generation. They argue that government policy should consider these dual-use outcomes, noting that Alberta's current regulations limit both the solar industry and farmers interested in integrating agrivoltaic structures into food production systems.
Source: The Conversation
