EDF Renewable Energy – Julie Kapuvari – 2023

Goals

The goal of the project was to present the costs and benefits of developing utility-scale Agrivoltaics in the PJM and MISO energy markets. In the form of a business case presentation, the work product entailed suggestions for improvements in the way the North region leadership approaches the implementation of Agrivoltaics for its solar projects.

Solutions

Julie worked with the North region development team and coordinated with colleagues across other regions and departments such as regulatory/legislative affairs, community engagement, engineering, and asset optimization to develop an evaluation of how Agrivoltaics can impact solar project development and operations. Through her fieldwork, expert interviews, and literature research, she gathered data to estimate power-purchase agreement scenarios of different Agrivoltaics solutions based on capital and operational expenditures. This data was extrapolated from case studies and internal EDF Renewables cost estimates of projects in other regions.

Her presentation of the business case covers the introduction to Agrivoltaics, showcases the pros, cons, and pricing scenarios of different Agrivoltaics projects, and concludes with key considerations for the design of these systems for the future of EDF Renewables. 

Potential Impact

By building a foundation of the business case elements needed for implementing Agrivoltaics, EDF Renewables can apply these considerations in pilot projects, test cases, or hybrid approaches to maintaining agricultural working lands for upcoming solar projects. This engagement with local farmers, agricultural companies, and livestock ranchers in vegetation management could increase the likelihood of project development and uplift rural communities.

The potential impact of the project is reconciling the needs of farmers and solar developers by building a new land-use system for climate-resilient agriculture, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.