In the heart of Ngomano village, Makueni County, rows of solar panels rise above lush fields of cabbages, maize, onions, butternut, cayenne pepper, and beans. These towering panels, supported by metal structures, create a unique sight that stands out in the arid landscape. This farm, situated at the end of a dusty road branching off from Kibwezi-Kitui Road, is no ordinary agricultural site. It is a cutting-edge demonstration of agrivoltaics, a modern solution combining solar energy generation with farming to address food and water scarcity.
What is Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics is a farming technique where crops are grown beneath solar panels. This allows farmers to maximize the use of land for two purposes: crop production and solar energy harvesting. This method has gained significant attention in the U.S. and Europe, where it is seen as a sustainable solution for improving agricultural productivity and energy efficiency.
Tania Pons Allon, Director of the Kasser Joint Institute for Food, Water, and Energy Security, explains the goal of this technology: “The agrivoltaic project aims to study the benefits of combining solar panels with agricultural activities and how the energy generated can be utilized, alongside monitoring the growth of crops underneath the panels.” The project, funded by multiple partners including Arizona University and the Jewish National Fund, offers a promising solution to Kenya’s ongoing challenges with food and water security.
How Agrivoltaics Works
This innovative technology involves installing solar panels over farmland, allowing farmers to take advantage of solar energy in two key ways. First, the solar panels generate clean electricity, which powers a water pump that draws water from the nearby Athi River for irrigation. Second, the panels provide shade for the crops beneath, helping to retain soil moisture and reduce the amount of water needed for irrigation.
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By shading the crops, the solar panels create a microclimate that reduces water evaporation and promotes water conservation. This dual benefit helps farmers in arid regions like Makueni to grow a wider variety of crops than would otherwise be possible.
Local Community Impact
Though the Ngomano agrivoltaic project is still relatively new, it has already made a significant impact on the local community. Mukai Nzamei, a nursery school teacher at Ngomano Primary School, has been closely involved with the project. She also serves as a field assistant, helping to monitor soil moisture levels and track water usage. “We never thought crops like cabbages could thrive in this region,” says Nzamei. “We were used to growing crops like cowpeas and okra, but now, we see cabbages and other vegetables growing successfully under the solar panels.”
Nzamei’s role also includes harvesting crops like cayenne pepper, recording yields, and tracking crop growth through QR codes that send data to researchers in the U.S. This data-driven approach allows researchers to study how the shading and energy provided by the solar panels affect crop performance.
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Scaling Sustainable Agriculture
The Ngomano agrivoltaic project is the first of its kind in Kenya, and its benefits extend far beyond the local village. The project is designed to support Ngomano Primary School and approximately 252 households in the surrounding area, which is located near the Athi and Yu rivers. One of the key objectives is to introduce local farmers to scientifically-backed agricultural practices, providing them with the tools and knowledge to improve their crop yields and conserve resources.
This initiative comes at a crucial time for the region, which once thrived as a center for Kenya’s cut flower industry. In the past, Danish company DCK operated a major flower farm in the area, but the business shut down in the 1980s, leaving behind a community struggling with unemployment and environmental degradation. Another attempt to revitalize the region came in the form of baby corn farming for export, but this too failed due to over-extraction of water from the Yu River, leading to a collapse in 2008.
Makueni’s Broader Climate Strategy
The agrivoltaic project aligns with ongoing efforts by both local and international organizations to combat the effects of climate change in Makueni County. Development partners such as USAID and the World Bank are increasingly focusing on nature-based solutions to address climate challenges. The county government of Makueni has also rolled out an aggressive environmental conservation program to help communities adapt to drought and other climate-related impacts.
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One of the county’s most ambitious projects is a Sh73 billion energy plan that seeks to reduce reliance on grid electricity and diesel-powered generators for water pumping. Instead, solar energy is being harnessed to power irrigation systems, hospitals, schools, and even factories like the Makueni Fruits Processing Plant, which processes local mangoes into juice. According to Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior, “We need reliable energy to support irrigation and reduce our dependency on rain-fed agriculture. By investing in solar energy, we can significantly improve food security, create jobs, and reduce poverty in the region.”
Agrivoltaics as a Climate Solution
Scientists and agricultural experts see agrivoltaic technology as a viable solution to food insecurity, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change. Jenipher Masawa, an ecologist and the field manager for the Ngomano project, emphasizes the cost benefits of using solar energy for irrigation. “Diesel and petrol generators are expensive to run, and they contribute to greenhouse gas emissions,” Masawa explains. “Solar-powered irrigation systems are much more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Additionally, the shading provided by the panels helps conserve water, making farming more efficient.”
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) also advocates for the integration of nature-based solutions in agriculture, including agrivoltaic systems. According to Levis Kavagi, UNEP’s regional coordinator for Ecosystems and Biodiversity, projects like the one in Ngomano not only address food security but also tackle broader environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. “Responsible water and soil management, alongside the careful use of fertilizers and other farm inputs, are critical to the success of sustainable farming projects,” he adds.
The Ngomano agrivoltaic project offers a glimpse into the future of agriculture, where technology and nature work together to address the challenges of food production, energy generation, and climate adaptation. By combining solar energy with sustainable farming practices, this innovative approach is helping communities in Makueni County increase their resilience to the effects of climate change while boosting agricultural productivity. As similar projects continue to gain momentum worldwide, agrivoltaics could become a key tool in the global effort to achieve food security and sustainability.
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