Solar developers are literally and figuratively hungry – hungry for land and hungry for vault-breaking investment deals. The best part? They do these things with a smirk: hey, “we’re saving the planet!”
Perhaps if there’s a conversation among cows and goats which used to be happily grazing around luscious green fields, this could it be: what’s happening to our buffet? It mirrors some sort of evil mastermind vibe when poor old grass no longer stands a chance when farmlands are endlessly converted as project-sites for massive-scale solar installations.
As farmers feel the squeeze, even the Department of Energy (DOE) acknowledged that dilemma in the Philippine Energy Plan—that solar farms are veritably eating into the food chain. Unlike in other energy markets wherein regulators are strategically demarcating non-arable lands as solar sites, the Philippines does not have specific policy yet, hence, food security and land scarcity are quite slippery slope.
But by sheer grace, there are now sun-chasing project sponsors who are also hungry for seats at transformative dining tables – that’s right, there is already that ‘sharing is caring’ solar-agri version as investors are now blending energy production with food cultivation – solar panels above, veggies below -- a gradually thriving genius warranting companies to invest in the future of food security; in a way that remains financial savvy for business while becoming socially responsible for the consumers.
The future is on the plate…and the sun
The clear trailblazer in the country for this energy-to-plate nexus or agrivoltaics in corporate speak - is Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation (CREC) of business magnate Edgar Saavedra, through their game-changing AgroSolar innovation which started at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 by experimenting on turmeric as their first foray on inventive farming fused with their solar facility in Tarlac.
After initial successful harvest, Citicore subsequently planted other vegetables across its solar farms - including pechay, eggplants, green chili; and this year, the company also planted watermelons beneath its solar panels. Next on its plan will be ginger, onion and ube (purple yam). Citicore’s seriousness in scaling up this solar energy-food production fusion is evident, as company executives noted that in the design phase of their forthcoming solar plants, they are leveling up the integration of agrivoltaics as overall part of the operational cycle of their facilities; and with that, they’re changing the landscape of solar farm developments in the country—in the truest sense.
The company’s golden ticket to its flourishing solar farm-to-table innovation leans on community-supported agriculture – it strategically taps farmers from host communities for AgroSolar so they can support families in their livelihood; then earnings will be funneled into the company’s foundation – and these will in turn be utilized for community-focused infrastructure facilities and scholarship programs, as well as fund support to Brigada Eskwela initiatives for schools. Suffice it to say that Citicore is not just powering homes, it’s also illuminating paths for knowledge and academic success – primarily to the more than 30 scholars now supported by AgroSolar’s cash yield.
As renewable energy developments continue to sizzle, more and more project sponsors are getting aggressive too on taking a sunny pie in that solar-foodie showdown. In the country, project developers like ACEN Corporation of the Ayala group and Aboitiz Power are similarly advancing on cracking the code and even aiming to surpass the success of those ahead of them; as they also want to offer a slice in every bite that you’ll take. Picking up on that, it’s not surprising that rebranding and marketing campaigns for innovative solar projects will soon be shifting to screaming ad concepts on: solar-powered smoothies; or it’s solar energy that’s making your tomatoes blush.
Other markets are also succeeding in the ‘taste tests’ of agrivoltaics’ creative leap – from the solar-powered wine production at vineyards in Provence, France; to the solar-agri PV solutions being employed in Bavaria, Germany to grow berries, apples or potatoes; as well as the solar-powered aquaculture in Japan, wherein floating solar farms have been supporting the country’s growing demand for sustainable seafood, among others.
In the Philippines, many project developers are not onboard yet, and some are still lost in this intensifying ‘hunger games’ race in the solar industry – and that’s either due to the absence of policy enforcement for this rapidly emerging investment model…uhm, hello DOE and agriculture authorities; or they just don’t have the appetite to also feed consumers while raking in profits.
The mash-up of energy production and farming remains blurry, but this is what investors must always keep in mind: these investments wouldn’t just help the planet— but must also feed families and empower communities. Thus, in this sprouting charged up competition in the gourmet ecosystem: may the best crop wins! And oh, have you figured out our dessert yet?
Tricky tease: Loud industry whispers are swirling that another key energy official is on the brink – and how true that Malacañang is already building up the replacement shortlist?
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