Estimation of the potential of agrivoltaics in Honduras utilizing models and geospatial data

Abstract

Introduction. The increasing demand for clean and sustainable electrical energy, which is likely to be supplied by photovoltaic energy, has the potential to accelerate the competition for land between energy and food production. Honduras has a low access to electricity of 85.22% and suffers from food insecurity throughout its territory, especially in the departments of the Dry Corridor. To reduce future competition between electricity generation and crop growth and improve the resilience of the Honduran population against the effects of climate change, agrivoltaics is proposed as a solution. The study aim was to calculate and model the agrovoltaic potential in Honduras. Methods. Crop and photovoltaic simulation models were used to calculate the Land Equivalent Ratio. Results. A LER of 124.92% was calculated for an agrivoltaic system of 1 hectare, using potatoes as the crop, in San Andrés, Lempira. Additionally, the LER for a generic C3 crop, based on a photosynthesis model, was calculated for the entirety of Honduras, which resulted in a range between 135.45% and 149.34%. Conclusion. The models indicate that Honduras possibly has a high potential for agrivoltaics.