Agrivoltaics is the purposeful combination of agricultural production (which converts sunlight to food) with solar photovoltaic technology (which converts sunlight directly into electricity). Agrivoltaic farming is booming in the U.S . and even in Canada . Past research has shown agrivoltaic farming can help meet all of our food and energy needs, while simultaneously making us more sustainable. Although the economic importance of optimizing lighting systems and energy use in indoor farming is well known, there is a notable lack of studies focusing on economic trade-off analysis between agrivoltaic and grid-powered solutions integrated into light map analysis and revenue sensitivity assessments.

Investigating Economic Performance of Agrivoltaics and Indoor Vertical Farming

To address this gap, a new study investigates an indoor true vertical lettuce agrotunnel developed by Food Security Structures Canada . Regional, seasonal, and market type sensitivity analyses were carried out on the prices and experimental yields to calculate the revenue from lettuce production. Technoeconomic analysis indicated that agrivoltaics outperformed the grid-only power supply by net present cost and levelized cost of electricity reductions of 13.2% and 44.2%, respectively.

The study also looked at the lighting. Photosynthetic photon flux density and daily light integral were compared for the cases of 41–61 cm distances between the lights and the walls. With the 20 cm distance variations, 16.6–17.8% changes in the average photosynthetic photon flux density were achievable without increasing energy consumption.

Economic Profit from Agrivoltaics and Indoor Vertical Farming

In addition, annual revenue from lettuce green mix packs ranged from $61,735 to $86,164 USD for singles and from $83,603 to $116,685 USD for multiple plants per pot strategies, depending on the variety packs. Luxury and mid-range price categories kept the return on investment above 10% at all capital cost levels. The agrotunnel achieved the maximum specific yield of >70 kg/m 2 /year.

According to the geographical market price evaluations throughout North America, the highest revenue would be achieved by selling the products in Ontario’s premium market. The revenue generated from operating an agrotunnel varied significantly across North America, with Canada and the U.S. producing the maximum revenue, while Mexico saw much lower revenue. It looks like vertical farms for salad could be coming to a city near you if you live in the north.