INSPIRED – APV: International Cooperation and Support through Development of Agrivoltaics

Namibia is one of the middle-income countries, but continues to face challenges in terms of food security, unemployment and electrification, especially in rural areas. At the same time, Namibia is heavily dependent on expensive electricity imports as well as fruits and vegetables from neighboring countries.

The »INSPIRED-APV« project addresses this issue by testing the concept of agrivoltaics in cooperation with smallholder farmers in different agro-ecological zones. By generating solar power, a contribution to rural electrification is to be made and new sources of income for the farmers are to be developed. Furthermore, the dependence on imports shall be reduced and a higher agricultural productivity shall be achieved by shading the agricultural areas under the PV modules.

Within the framework of »INSPIRED-APV«, at least three pilot agrivoltaics systems are to be installed in the various agro-ecological zones of Namibia, with a special focus on the empowerment of women and youth. The system design will be individually adapted to the needs of the smallholder farmers. The PV modules can protect the cultivated crops from high solar radiation as well as from other extreme weather events such as heavy rain or frost. The electricity generated is also used for a number of processes, such as irrigation systems, drying and cooling systems for improved post-harvest processes, processing machinery in the agricultural value chain, and digitalization for business and marketing purposes. Regarding the technical design of the agrivoltaic systems, tests will include various configurations of PV module orientation, placement and transparency. The pilot plants will be accompanied by scientific research in order to gain evidence-based information on the effectiveness and suitability of agrivoltaics systems, both in the agricultural and energetic perspective as well as with regard to social acceptance and the scaling potential of Agri-PV in Namibia. In addition, knowledge transfer campaigns will be conducted to help build capacity in the country. Relevant stakeholders such as relevant government institutions, banks and solar companies, farmers, etc. will be involved at the beginning as well as throughout the implementation through information sessions, workshops and trainings.Thus, the project »INSPIRED-APV« aims as an integrative approach to promote local agrivoltaic systems as an innovative, climate-adapted and profitable solution for sustainable vegetable, fruit and electricity production in Namibia. Indicators for the increase of agricultural productivity, the increase of income of smallholder farmers and the participation of up to 2000 actors in training measures on agrivoltaics are to ensure the sustainable success of the project. It also contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): zero poverty (1), zero hunger (2), gender equality (5), affordable and clean energy (7), sustainable consumption and production (12), and climate change mitigation (13).