Agrosolars are an innovative solution that combines the production of renewable energy with agriculture, allowing for dual land use. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), where significant underutilized agricultural resources and high solar potential exist, agrosolar projects offer an opportunity for the sustainable development of rural areas, increased energy independence, and support for local communities. We spoke with Miroslav Nikolić, Head of Development for Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency at the Electricity Utility (Elektroprivreda) of the Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosnia, about the importance of agrosolar projects and the necessary measures to increase their popularity in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Q: What are the main advantages of installing solar panels above arable land?
A: The most significant benefit of agrosolars is the protection of crops from adverse weather conditions. Due to increasingly pronounced climate change and more frequent extreme weather events, agrosolar systems could become the future of agricultural land in vulnerable areas, including our region. Therefore, agrosolar projects should be primarily viewed as an agrotechnical measure to protect agricultural production.
Various studies show that prolonged droughts and other climate disruptions cause immense damage and losses in agriculture. Furthermore, studies indicate that crop yields are decreasing due to climate change. This is why it is essential to achieve synergy between agricultural production and electricity generation.
By combining solar installations with agricultural production, it is possible to protect crops from excessive solar radiation and stormy weather. Agrosolars create a modified microclimate beneath the modules, alter air temperature, and, through partial shading, prevent crops from overheating or burning. Additionally, these solar installations affect relative air humidity and wind speed, reducing wind gusts and soil drying, which also lowers the need for irrigation.
When it comes to protection from stormy weather, this primarily refers to protection from hail. It is evident that hail events and the resulting damage are becoming more frequent and severe, prompting research into protection methods using agrosolars.
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Q: What were the conclusions of the recent agrosolar-focused conference in Mostar?
A: At the recently held conference titled Agrosolars – Obstacles and Opportunities for Implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, all participants agreed on the necessity of taking concrete steps toward the implementation of agrosolars in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conference conclusions proposed specific actions.
Firstly, it is essential to align all strategic documents of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its entities with the European Union’s legal framework and to incorporate the agrosolar concept within them. Furthermore, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, it is necessary to define an appropriate legal and regulatory framework that creates a stimulating environment and enables the implementation of agrosolar projects. Furthermore, it is crucial to develop studies assessing the agrosolar potential in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to launch suitable pilot projects that would validate the study findings in practice.
Q: What is the actual potential of Bosnia and Herzegovina for developing agrosolar systems?
A: There are no reliable answers to this question. The studies and pilot projects mentioned previously are expected to provide more dependable information about the real potential of agrosolars in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as identify the areas where their implementation would be most suitable and the crops best suited for cultivation with agrosolars.
According to available data, serious analyses of agrosolar potential have only been conducted in the Republic of Croatia, where the development of a supportive legal and regulatory framework has also begun. It has been demonstrated that there are significant opportunities for the application of agrosolar technologies.
Since the conditions for implementing agrosolars in countries across the region are quite similar (sunlight, climate, soil, etc.), it can be assumed that the potential for agrosolar development is also similar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, taking into account the size of available agricultural land and the regions in which this land is located.
It should be noted that agrosolars must be designed in a way that allows for the integration of agricultural activity with electricity production, increasing the total production potential. Southern, warmer, and drier areas are certainly more suitable. Still, on the other hand, the maximum grid capacities in these areas have often already been reached due to the expansion of solar installations.
Q: What is the level of interest among local farmers and investors in participating in agrosolar projects, and what could further motivate them, in your opinion?
A: There is no reliable information or research that provides a definitive answer to this question. However, judging by the number of people who attended the aforementioned conference, it could be said that there is interest in agrosolar projects. I believe the concept of agrosolars is still largely unfamiliar to the general public, including farmers and professionals. Therefore, a communication strategy should be developed to provide all stakeholders, particularly farmers, with objective information about the potential benefits and limitations of applying agrosolars.
Interview by Milena Maglovski
The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine PURE ENERGY
