SERVICES
Agrivoltaics & Renewables
Agrivoltaics is a unique discipline pertaining to the dual use of land for agriculture and solar energy production. TCS has a specialized team that not only understands agriculture in Alberta, but also understands the science of agrivoltaics and the regulatory environment for solar energy development in Alberta. We have designed agrivoltaic farm plans based on the practical experience of our team of Professional Agrologists that are experts in range and grazing management, greenhouse production, annual cropping, and agricultural principles. The diversity and depth of our agricultural experience allow us to create suitable agrivoltaic plans for implementation. We provide agricultural impact assessments for high-quality agricultural lands that follow the guidelines for evaluating agricultural land for renewable generation.
Experience is critical to the design and implementation of a successful agrivoltaics plan. Our team has been involved in grazing management for over 40 years as Professional Agrologists specializing in range management. We have combined our experience in agricultural production with our environmental expertise and an understanding of renewable energy regulations to meet the needs of the growing agrivoltaics industry. Working at the leading edge of agrivoltaics in Alberta, we have designed agrivoltaic systems that integrate a wide range of crop types including berries, forage crops, and annual crops. In the past several years our team has produced over 20 agrivoltaic plans for projects within western Canada. We are pioneering a greenhouse that utilizes solar hot water collection for winter heating. We don’t just build the plans. We also support the plans with a strong team of specialists that can carry applications through regulatory hearings and into production.
We provide in depth plans for grazing management and customize these plans for the unique needs of agrivoltaics. In addition, our team has active grain farmers and greenhouse growers allowing us to design for the needs of each project.
Our Approach to AGRIVOLTAICSOur Approach
Our focus IS to Create the effective AgriVoltaic plans that allows our clients to maintain energy production and agricultural output at the same time, regardless of the project requirements
Environmental Evaluations
We have soils, wetland, and vegetation experts that can help with specific areas of environmental evaluations for renewable energy operators or we can combine or expertise to lead on the development of these reports.
Conservation and Reclamation Plans
Our team works closely with our reclamation and soils experts to develop C&R plans specific for renewable energy operations. We also complete C&R plans for other industries including mining, oil and gas and government agencies and can draw on the expertise of our team members in our other disciplines to support projects no matter how complex they are.
Pre-Disturbance Site Assessments
PDSAs are completed for a variety of our clients including renewable energy operators looking to comply with the Conservation and Reclamation Directive for Renewable Energy Operations. Our biophysical team has experts in wetland science, rare species management, wildlife, vegetation and soils.
Wetland Assessment and Classification
Wetland assessment can be part of other reporting requirements or can be a simple scope. We have a Wetland Authenticating Professional and can complete desktop and field assessments. Our team are regarded as experts in wetland science in Alberta and have completed hundreds of water act applications and wetland assessments across western Canada. Please see our Biophysical page for more details.
Regulatory Requirements
For each site, we determine the regulatory requirements, such as requirements of the regulator (Alberta examples: Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), and Alberta Energy and Parks (AEP)), required regulatory approvals and assessments required (i.e. Agricultural Impact Assessment (AIA)). In Alberta Canada the Electric Energy Land Use and Visual Assessment Regulation requires that all solar projects on class 2 lands as well as some class 3 lands require an AIA and irrigation assessment.
Renewable Energy Project Submissions
Our team of experts can support Renewable Energy Project Submissions by completing desktops reviews and field surveys to answer the necessary application questions.
What Types of Farm
In Alberta there are numerous types of farms. Most people think of sheep when they think of Agrivoltiacs and while sheep are highly compatible they are not the only option or necessarily the best option. The most productive agricultural land uses per acre are typically found in horticulture followed by annual crop production in Alberta. However each of these systems requires a unique solar farm design. Projects we have developed include:
Grazing systems for Sheep
Hay production
Silage production
Annual crop production
Horticultural production (berries)
Limitations to Consider
Larger farming equipment requires turning areas and buried infrastructure to allow for effective farming. In addition creating a farming system where there is no market to sell the goods is also limiting. For example in some areas there may be no place to sell lambs and that can limit the ability for a farm to be economical.
Another additional consideration is access to farmers willing to work within a solar facility. It is more expensive to farm within a solar facility and as such it means the economics of farming in these facilities has to be considered.
Optimizing Dual Use Production
We can support our clients in designing specific solar layouts that allow both agriculture and power generation to be maximized. there are unique panel layouts that can be utilized to maximize production effectively.
Crop Selection
Whether it is a hay crop, annual forage, cereal grain or oil seed we can support farmers in finding the most productive varieties for their Agrivoltaic project. Our team is engaged in multiple research projects looking at the productivity of different crops within solar facilities in western Canada.
Monitoring and Support
The work is not over ounce a plan is formed. Our clients have us acting as long term support to farmers as well as power producers to ensure that agricultural production is maintained and meets the regulatory requirements. We can provide annual support throughout a project life to ensure the long term success of each Agrivoltaic project.
PARTNER WITH Agrivoltaic experts
Tannas Conservation Services Ltd. delivers quality, science-based solutions in reclamation, ecology, and regulatory compliance. Connect with our experts today to discuss your project.
