The booming development of solar farms has raised fears that this infrastructure could harm food production in Canada, particularly in Alberta, where the province has suspended approval of any large wind or solar projects. However, studies show that the enthusiasm for solar energy will not consume as much agricultural land.
In fact, researchers concluded that the impact of growing solar farms on agricultural land would remain small after analyzing the growth of these renewables across Canada.
In particular, they assessed the area needed for solar panels to enable the country’s energy transition.
Not surprisingly, the scientific team found that using solar energy will require much more space than wind power. It requires longer-term energy storage and is associated with significant energy losses – up to a quarter of production.
And if the entire energy transition were based on the production of solar parks, around 36,100 km2 of land would have to be covered with solar panels. That may seem like a lot, but researchers found that it ultimately only represented 5.6% of the agricultural land in Canada.
Solar panels at the landfill
The study by Keena Trowell, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, also recommends using developed land, such as roofs, to install solar panels.
Sara Hastings-Simon, an associate professor at the University of Calgary who studies energy transition and public policy, says landfills also represent an interesting option because of their proximity to places where electricity is used.
When it comes to whether there is enough agricultural land in the province [Alberta] When it comes to building solar parks, I think the answer is quite clear: yes.
In August, the Government of Alberta announced that the renewable energy moratorium would last until February 29, 2024. At the time, she expressed concerns about the use and reclamation of land used for solar and wind power.
However, according to findings from Ian Urquhart, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Alberta, most solar projects approved in Alberta between 2019 and 2023 were on land deemed unfavorable to crop production.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith justified the moratorium by telling the CBC in September that we would not be able to install large amounts of solar panels on prime agricultural land. This is one of the things we heard loud and clear.
While most Canadian provinces rely largely on renewable energy, the picture is different in Alberta.
According to a 2022 report from the Alberta Electric System Manager (AESO), fossil fuels such as natural gas account for nearly 85% of the province’s total electricity production. Renewable energy accounts for almost 13%.
Based on information from Emily Chung, CBC